Torment by Scarlett Dawn is the third novel in the Origin and my favorite couple featured so far.

Megan Marshall is first introduced in Poppy’s story. She’s on the run from her father and his criminal activity. She spent her life under his thumb and would rather die than go back to him. After being dragged into something she doesn’t understand (you know the zombie things the Master is controlling), she hopes to never see Poppy and her friends again…and then they show up at the dive bar she works in. Megan is probably my favorite character in the series. She’s blunt and to the point. If she doesn’t like you, she’ll say so. If she wants to jump your bones, you’ll know that too. But she’s a runner. She’s lived her life that way and that’s a hard thing to change.

Rune Mason is one of the corporate giants in this new dystopian world of the future and Godric’s friend. Of all the guys so far, he’s the one I’ve wanted a story about. He’s a playboy, but he doesn’t try to hide that fact. When he meets Megan the first time, something in him shifts and it scares him as much as it excites him. Personally the thought of this character wanting me would scare me to death, but Megan is up for the challenge.

While each book in this series has revolved around the Master and his plan for the group, this one revolves more around Megan, Rune, and her father. Rune is determined to protect Megan and make her happy, something she’s been sorely lacking in her life. I loved the continued world-building as the author continued to drop more and more information about the culture they live in and their shared history.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It’s only downfall was I felt that the characters were not as fleshed out as they could have been. As much as I enjoy Megan and Rune, I had a hard time connecting with either one of them. They just fell flat on the pages. However I did enjoy how the author continued to build upon the overall series plot. I’m excited to see what the Master has planned and who the Master is. If you enjoy the series or enjoy paranormal romance, I highly recommend you read this book.

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

I really, really wanted to like Nyxia by Scott Reintgen, but sadly it was not my favorite read this year. I have found that I love the scifi genre this year, especially those that fall into the space opera category. I set my expectations too high for this book. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. On the contrary I did enjoy some parts, other parts not so much.

Nyxia by Scott Reintgen is the first in a new series about a group of teens that are sent to an alien planet to mine an all-purpose mineral. Why send teens? Because the aliens are hostile towards adults but favor children. Seems sketchy? Yeah that’s because it is. As the book unfolds, more secrets are revealed and the less you like the company the teens are there to work for.

What I enjoyed
I really enjoyed [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1447303603s/2767052.jpg|2792775] vibe I got from the competition these teens are in. When they are first hired for the job, they don’t realize that they are competing for one of 8 spots to go down to the planet. If they are chosen, then these teens will be rich beyond measure. If not, they will still be rich, just not as rich. The competition itself is really a teaching tool so the teens will learn what they need to know about Nyxia (how to use it, mine it, etc) and the planet Eden. It’s high stakes, adventurous, and fast-paced. I caught myself holding my breath and cheering the characters on as they competed.

I liked Nyxia itself. The mineral is alien and foreign. It’s almost like it is symbiont, thinking and adapting to its environment. I loved what the teens learned about the mineral and how they learn to control it. Personally I wouldn’t mind to have my own stash of the mineral. It would definitely come in handy. There would be no need to buy appliances anymore if I could make my own with a thought.

The diversity!!! The ten teens were from all over the world. There were Africans, Americans, Japanese, a Swede, Brazilian, Middle Eastern…you get the picture. And with the exception of a couple of characters, the teens worked together towards a common goal. I liked this! I liked how their cultures were subtly added to the story rather than it being an info dump.

What I disliked
Nyxia….so as cool as this mineral is, it was hard to imagine it. In a way, nyxia became a scapegoat for the answers to all the questions the teens brought up. Why are they not experiencing zero gravity? Nyxia lines the space craft. How do teens from all over the world speak the same language? The masks they wear are infused with nyxia. How can they travel thousands of light years in a months? Nyxia. Do you see where I’m going with this? One of the reasons I love sci-fi is the blending of current science/technology with fictional technology that is believable.

Emmett. While he is the main character, I had a hard time liking him. Maybe it’s because he started off playing the race card right from the beginning of the book without knowing anything about the other characters except their skin color. I think this was done intentionally to show character growth and thankfully he does grow throughout the book, but it was hard to like a character that would see me and dislike me because we are different on the outside.

Slow pace. While the action (when it was happening) was fast-paced and exciting, the rest of the story dragged on. Maybe it was my own expectations that caused this but I struggled to finish the book. I kept waiting for answers to questions that Emmett and other characters would bring up about the aliens, the planet Eden, and why we wanted Nyxia. I struggled guys, really struggled and finished it with no answers and a lot of build up to essentially nothing.

My Conclusions
Overall while I enjoyed some aspects of Nyxia, others I struggled through. I think that this book is a good set-up to the series and maybe would have worked better for me if it was a shorter, prequel novella to the series rather than the first book. The sequel has a lot of work cut out for it in building the alien-world and fleshing out the characters more, specifically the insta-love that felt rushed in the last third of the book. If you enjoy sci-fi, maybe you’ll enjoy this one. It just wasn’t for me.

The Architect of Song by A.G. Howard is a heart-breaking read about a young girl and the ghost she falls in love with. I was a little skeptical about if I’d enjoy this book, but I’m glad to find that I was wrong. I enjoyed every word, and even days after finishing, I am still thinking about the characters. I have a soft spot for historical fiction and I loved that this was set during the Victorian period. It made for a wonderful gothic romance!

Juliet is 19 and burying her mother when the book begins. (Dark beginning, yeah?!) I have to respect this character. She is deaf from an illness as a child, but she doesn’t let her disability hinder her. If anything it strengthens her. She notices things that others with hearing miss, like how someone’s eye twitches when they lie or how two characters like each other but are oblivious to the other, that sort of thing. But Juliet is lonely and grieving the death of her mother. This makes her vulnerable, something she isn’t usually.

There are two men in this book that create a love triangle of sorts: a ghost and a Lord. The ghost is known only as “Hawk” after Juliet stumbles across his grave and takes a flower that is growing there. The petals of the flower allow her to see Hawk. Hawk is roguish, has a temper, and has spent many years alone in his purgatory. He has no memories and it’s up to him and Juliet to find out what happened to him. Juliet is drawn to him because for the first time since she lost her hearing she can hear him. I think this makes her ghostly companion a big temptation.

Then there’s Lord Nicolas Thornton. Like Juliet, he has his own disability, a bum foot, and his earnest appraisal of Juliet endears him to me. However despite Juliet’s instant attraction to the Lord, she wants to despise him. Why? Because he plans to buy her estate AND wants to marry her. She thinks he has ulterior motives, yet his every action towards her she reads as truth. She doesn’t see any outward signs of deception which leaves her questioning her own judgment. Thornton is my favorite of the two love interests. Hawk is just too much of a gamble as he doesn’t have his memories and Thornton’s every action toward Juliet is one of a smitten, love-struck fool.

So how are these two tied together? Well for starters they look an awfully lot alike. So much so that when Juliet sees Thornton for the first time she believes her wish to make Hawk alive again has come true. The beauty of this tale is that I can’t answer this question wholly without spoilers. The author has woven a story filled with intrigue, deception, love, and despair. I loved the magical realism of Hawk’s ghost, the interweaving of paranormal and real life, and the slow-build romance between the main characters. I liked how the author slowly revealed the mysteries surrounding Hawk’s death, how he is tied to Thornton, and how Juliet plays a role in their lives. It kept me guessing right to the very end.

I wound up listening to this book and I have to say I loved the narrator. Gemma Dawson is brilliant. Her inflections and her subtle changes in voice kept me intrigued. I even dreamed about Juliet’s voice after listening the first night. It was well-paced and for once I didn’t listen on 3x speed.

Overall I really enjoyed this book! A.G. Howard is a master story-teller, creating beautifully flawed characters and twisting plots that are unpredictable. If you enjoy gothic romance, Victorian-era fiction, and a little ghostly-love, I highly recommend you grab a copy and read asap!

I received an eARC of this book from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Oh my heart!!!! Saving Brad by Siobhan Davis is the fifth installment in her The Kennedy Boys which follows one family and their relationships. Seriously these books are so addicting! I may not usually read or enjoy contemporary but Siobhan Davis has written such a compelling, dramatic series full of angst that I just cannot sit down.

As the title suggests, Brad, the other side of the Faye/Ky triangle, is the main focus. I’ll be honest, I really liked Brad at the beginning of the series and may have shipped him with Faye more than once. I felt like his character was so tragic. He lost everything: his best friend, his family, his fortune, even his dreams were at stake. He was just so sad that my heart ached for him throughout the series thus far. Now nearly two years after the end of [b:Keeping Kyler|35173354|Keeping Kyler (The Kennedy Boys, #3)|Siobhan Davis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495223501s/35173354.jpg|53578435], Brad has really lost himself. When the book begins, he’s nearly unrecognizable from the character Faye met in [b:Finding Kyler|35173351|Finding Kyler (The Kennedy Boys, #1)|Siobhan Davis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495223487s/35173351.jpg|53428748]. He’s unintentionally (and sometimes intentionally) mean, still pining for his best friend’s girl, and drinking his pain away. Not a very attractive side of him.

Then enters Rachel. Of Faye’s two Irish girlfriends, she’s the one that intrigues me the most. Her history is shrouded in mystery. She’s been seriously hurt in the past and has told no one of it. Like Brad, she’s spent most of her teenage years having sex and drinking away her pain. Now with her family’s recent good luck, she’s at a place where she can start over and disappear. Rachel is finding herself, gaining confidence, and showing a little vulnerability. But what endears her to me is how she recognizes Brad’s pain when those that are closest to him seem to ignore it.

The plot of this story really revolves around the growth of both characters and is moved along by the drama that surrounds them. Unlike the other books in this series, I felt like Rachel and Brad’s drama flows naturally with the story. It adds to their characters and helps to understand them better. Like the other books, there are many twists and surprises along the way and I was very surprised by Rachel’s reveal. I had an idea what it was but not the whom. (sorry I know that’s vague, but no spoilers from me)

Overall I loved Saving Brad! I devoured it. I started it before bed one night with the intention of reading one or two chapters, 6 hours later I was teary eyed and finished. I couldn’t sit it down and needed lots of coffee the next morning but it was totally worth it! If you enjoy contemporary romance, filled with angst and drama and surprise twists and turns, I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book. While it can be read as a standalone, I highly suggest reading it after the first three books of the series so you can understand the characters better. Also of note, this is a new adult book and I do not recommend for those under 18. There are some graphic sexual scenes, foul language and some triggers. Be aware before you read!

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Odd & True by Cat Winters is not at all what I expected it to be, and yet it was so much more. The blurb delivers a fantastical tale about monster hunters, and while this is semi-true, the real truth behind their adventures will leave you breathless. Told in alternating perspectives and time periods, each sister has a different truth that will set you on edge and break your heart.

Odette Grey is the eldest sister who has spent her life spinning stories to her younger sister Trudchen. Od believes in the paranormal, that her mother is a monster hunter and they are descendant from a great German monster hunter. After being gone for nearly two years, she suddenly returns one night to whisk Tru away on a monster-seeking adventure. But she isn’t the same girl that left. The whimsy has left her, there’s a hardness in her eyes and a sadness that can’t be masked. My heart goes out to this young woman who at 19 has already seen too much how the world works.

Trudchen Grey enters the story on the eve of her 15th birthday. She knows one thing and it’s that she misses her sister. So she makes a wish that Od would return and wouldn’t you know it, just after midnight on her actual birthday it comes true. As a child, Tru believed all of Od’s stories about being monster hunters, her their mother was out there protecting them, and how one day she would return and heal her lame leg (an unfortunate side effect of Polio at age 2). Yet now, she’s grown up and no longer believes the monster stories of her youth. Most can be explained away, except for the divination that Tru seems adept at. Tru is a young girl on the cusp of adulthood. She wants to believe and follow her sister everywhere, and yet she’s skeptical and knows that the real truth is still being hidden from her.

Set around the turn of the 20th century, Od’s circumstances and Tru’s naivety fits. I was easily drawn into their world, the present 1909 told by Tru and the past leading up to the present as told by Od. As Tru confronts certain stories, the real truth behind them is revealed by Od’s past. It’s heart-wrenching, especially when the tagline of the book keeps a running theme in your head: “Not all monsters have fangs and claws.” I loved the period of their youth when they were the happiest. Their Uncle Magnus and their absentee father played a large role. Magnus is probably my favorite of the side characters, truly loving his girls and sacrificing what he can for them. In the present, Od and Tru travel to Philadelphia to hunt the Leeds Devil (or the New Jersey Devil). This became an interesting concept to the story, and I enjoyed the paranormal that was thrown in.

Overall while I enjoyed the story, I couldn’t reconcile with the slow pace. I loved the writing style, I loved the characters and their story, but the pace dragged. I dare say that at parts it was just down right boring. I wound up once I hit the 60% mark skimming to the end. I wanted to know what happened, I wanted the details and I wanted to know the truth Tru sought from Od. It is a beautifully woven tale, but it just moved too slowly for me. If you enjoy historical fiction (because there is a lot of historical fact to this novel), a heart-breaking paranormal tale that isn’t as paranormal as you might think, and a story about the true meaning of family, I highly recommend you grab a copy of the book. Despite it’s slow pace, it is well worth the read.

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Invictus by Ryan Graudin is an amazing read about time traveling thieves. Seriously I don’t even know where to begin! Think of a cross between Doctor Who and Firefly and you have a taste of what Invictus is about. A whole cast of well-fleshed out characters, a red panda (because who doesn’t want one of those cuties?!), a heist on the Titanic while it sinks, and more make this book an unputdownable read!

Farway Gaius McCarthy (that’s a mouthful!), or simply Far to his crew, is to the Invictus what Mal is to Serenity. He’s the Captain, he’s the one that puts himself in danger to get the job done and provide for his crew. He’s also who the plot revolves around. Far is an interesting character. His mother is from the future/present, his father is a gladiator from 98BC, and Far? He has no birthdate because he was born in the Grid – an in-between place where time does not exist. Hence Far technically doesn’t exist, at least to all the computers and droids of his mom’s time. What really defines Far though is his mother’s disappearance. When Far was 7, she went on a time-travel assignment and never returned. Far has made it his mission to find out what happened to her and her crew.

While the book may revolve around Far, his crew plays just as big a role, even sharing some POV chapters. My favorite of the crew is Imogen, Far’s slightly older cousin. She’s a Historian. It’s her job to know everything about the time they are returning to, all the major events and the exact times those took place so they can plan around those things. She’s also in charge of the wardrobe, making most of it by hand which I just think is so cool. I personally love history so her job would be the one I want. Imogen isn’t just her job though. She’s spunky, high-spirited, a little flighty, and completely in love with the Engineer. Also she changes her hair color every day to match her moods. I love that!

Then there is the mysterious girl alluded to in the blurb, Eliot. It took me almost the entire book to figure this girl out, you know whether I liked her or not. I’ll just say she’s not easy to like and the more you're in her POV, the more questions you’ll have. Beyond that I can’t say another word because I don’t like spoilers.

“History is not as steady as it seems.” This is a gross understatement of what the crew faces in Invictus. BUT it makes for an epic read. I loved the multiple POV, bouncing among the entire crew. The book is told mostly from Far’s perspective, but then there are plenty of chapters from the other members as well, including the mystery girl. Well written, the book hooked me from the first lines and I could not sit it down, finishing this massive book in one day. Yes you read that right. I just couldn’t sit it down! The only negative for me was the romance aspect. I just couldn’t see the connection between Far and Priya. Their relationship fell flat for me, and I felt entirely disconnected from them as a couple. Separately I loved them, but together I just didn’t get it.

Overall, Invictus is a must-read for any sci-fi fan. Blending elements from some of my favorite sci-fi as I’ve already mentioned, the book is action-packed, full of suspense and hold your breath moments. Seriously y’all I read 460-ish pages in one day! It is that good. I didn’t want it to end. And while I know it’s a standalone, I really hope the author returns to this world and this crew. I’d read it!

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Oh wow! WOW!!!! Seriously I have no words. I sat down to read Never Apart by Romily Bernard and wound up devouring it in one sitting. The characters, their plight….all of it sucked me. The book begins with Grace and her boyfriend Ander running from their mutual friend Finn who is going to kill them. How does she know he’s going to kill her? Because this will be the 41st time he’s done. Yep you read that right. Grace has lived the same fate 41 times. I knew I was in for a good book when the suspense and tension of those first few pages had me on the edge of my seat!

Grace is an interesting character. She’s a bit lost, what with the 41 deaths and all. But she’s tried to remain true to herself. She remembers her original life in bits and pieces and this story unfolds with chapters alternating between the “now” of her present life and the “then” of her first life. I loved seeing how the story unfolded and what Grace learns about herself in the process. She’s a strong girl, who has been far too reliant on her twin brother Jem and his best friend Ander. She’s shy, incredibly smart, and a social outcast (not because she couldn’t be popular, but because she’s so shy). It isn’t until the Falls, as she calls them, that she finds herself.

The other two main characters in this book are Finn and Ander. Throughout the Falls, they are the only two who remember who they originally were. Ander is Grace’s and Jem’s best friend. They’ve known each other since they were six and life was continually thrown Grace and Ander together. Their relationship, according to Grace, was inevitable. It developed naturally and she loved him. He understood her better than anyone, and yet he is also the one who seems to hurt her the most. Finn is new in town but bonds with Grace in a way that neither her twin or best friend could. He understands her desire for more than the small town offers her.

But something happened and now he hunts her and Ander. He finds them on the 5th day and he kills Ander and they Fall. Never Apart centers on the “what happened” as Grace cannot remember what caused her friendship with Finn and Ander to unravel. All Grace knows is it was something bad. I loved how the author was able to convey the tension and heartbreak and nerve-wracking fear Grace felt through the pages. I found myself holding my breath, my own heart racing, and even tearing up as Grace fought to uncover the truth. The alternating chapters between the now and then helped the story flow and I lived for the “then” chapters as I knew they were important to Grace’s current situation.

Overall I loved this story! I loved Grace, my heart ached for Ander, and I was drawn to the mysterious Finn. I missed Jem with Grace, and I related to the small town of Boone. If you enjoy paranormal, science fiction, and a little romance dosed with a dash of thrill, I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book. It does not disappoint!

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Feels Like the First Time by Marina Adair is the second in the Destiny Bay about a small town and second chances. I personally really enjoyed this sweet story about best friends and a pretend relationship. We all know how those end ;)

Ali was my favorite side character in Last Kiss of Summer. She’s an independent woman, tomboyish, and the complete opposite of her former cheerleader- sister. And then there’s the small fact she’s always been in love with her best friend who also happens to be her sister’s ex.

Bradley Hawk *swoon* Hawk is a former NHL player turned bar owner. He moved back to his small hometown after his disastrous first marriage. He thinks he’s over Bridget and ready to move on, but he never saw Ali in the light he’s seeing her now.

The plot of this story reminds me a little of the movie The Proposal except these two are already friends. I liked how the author conveyed Hawk’s feelings. The POV alternates each chapter so we the reader know from the getgo know how he feels about Ali and how those feelings grow. I love stories like this! The slow burn, friend turned lover...It’s like watching a Hallmark movie: short, sweet, and heart-warming.

Overall I enjoyed this book. The romance is a slow build but the chemistry is immediate. Hawk and Ali are a fun couple! It isn’t a squeaky clean read though, so if you are looking for fade to black or closed door scenes, you won’t find them here. If you enjoy contemporary romance (especially of the best friend variety) I highly recommend it!

The Lie by C.L. Taylor has been on my TBR shelf for over a year. I was given an ARC copy before the book came out and unfortunately it got lost in the pile. However when I found it I knew I wanted to read it as soon as I could. I wound up purchasing an Audible copy as well and alternated listening and reading so I didn’t have to sit down the book for very long.

The story follows Jane Hughes as her tragic past catches up to the life she’s created for herself. You see Jane isn’t who you think she is. When we first meet Jane, she is working at an animal shelter in a small, country town, dating a single dad, and admittedly seems happy. I liked Jane and truly I felt sorry for her. She harbored a lot of guilt for her past and it seems she’s carried it with her. She lives in fear as well, wondering what would happen if someone learned her secrets.

As much as I liked Jane though, the story was hard to follow at times. It shifted from present to past (which occurred 5 years earlier) every few chapters. In the past, Jane and her friends are going on a three week vacation but one of the friends gets them stuck in a sexual/off-the-beaten path cult. This part of the story was intriguing but moved slowly. It was predictable and barely held my attention. It honestly could have been told in a couple of chapters or a really long prologue.

The present part of the story was much more interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. Jane starts receiving vague, threatening, anonymous messages claiming the sender knows who she is and what she’s done. So the story revolves around this big mystery of what did Jane do and who is threatening her. I’ll admit I was captivated, but the slow chapters in the past combined with the fast-paced present was distracting. Then the climax of the story was sadly underwhelming.

Overall while I enjoyed parts and slugged my way through the others, The Lie was just an okay read for me. Despite liking Jane and the suspense of who was threatening her, her past exploits while scary held no appeal to me. I wasn’t connected to that part of the story at all. Once her past was fully revealed, the ending became too predictable and I found myself rolling my eyes. I did like the way the author can show how quickly friendships can unravel in a situation as described in the book. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, I’d recommend giving it a read.

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

I am admittedly a huge Jane Austen fan which in turn makes me a big fan of Katherine Reay. So far I have enjoyed all of her books! The Austen Escape is no exception. This is a fun, sweet read filled with some of my favorite Austen characters.

Mary Davies is a character that is in the midst of a life crisis. Her job is falling apart. Her love life is nonexistent. She’s in a rut, aimless so to say. At her father’s urging, she goes with her childhood friend on an all-expenses paid vacation to a manor house in Bath to live an Austen experience. To say I like Mary is an understatement. I identified so well with her. She’s shy, a bit backward, and the introvert of the friendship. While her friend Isabel is the outspoken, life of the party, extrovert. Unlike Mary, Isabel had a terrible childhood, a negligent father, and to make up for these things, she tends to be competitive with Mary. Mary however saw her friend as her friend growing up and nothing more. Now though she sees the one-sided friendship for what it is and sees this trip as the way to set things right or end them for good.

Once in Bath, Isabel has a (for lack of a better term) emotional breakdown and believes herself to be really from Regency England. Up to this point in the story, the pace was slow, building Mary’s character so the reader would understand her better. After this, it’s fast-moving and I found myself staying up til the wee hours of the morning to finish the book. Mary is a good friend, better than most would be if the situation was thrust on them. Mary learns an awful truth about Isabel before the breakdown and now she can’t be mad at her because her friend needs her. Truly I’m not sure how I would have felt if I was put in the same position.

What truly makes this book exceptional though is the theme of friendship. Reay explores the toxic friendship between the two characters Mary and Isabel. I liked how subtle it is as Mary recalls her childhood. As they say “hindsight is always 20/20.” It’s easy for Mary to spot the bad in her friendship, how Isabel has always relegated Mary to being the sidekick instead of seeing her as her equal. Isabel has to be in the spotlight and when she isn’t she tends to force Mary out of it. The exploration of the friendship leads Mary into exploring how it has affected other areas of her life and I found myself engaged to learn more and watch the character as she grew over the course of the book.

Overall I really enjoyed The Austen Escape. While it had a slow start, it picked up pace and finished beautifully. Mary’s progression through the book really makes it an excellent read. The love interest helps too 😉 If you enjoy Austen, Regency England, contemporary fiction, I highly recommend it.