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

While I loved [b:True to You|32497077|True to You (A Bradford Sisters Romance, #1)|Becky Wade|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476713060s/32497077.jpg|53089105], the first book in A Bradford Sisters Romance, I adored Falling for You by Becky Wade. Willow and Corbin’s romance is not one I’d expected to like. It is a second-chance story about forgiveness, not of the other person but of yourself. It’s a hard pill to swallow but one Wade brings to life in a realistic and heart-aching way.

Willow is the eldest and seemingly perfect Bradford sister. She is home for the season to run her parents’ bed and breakfast while they take a much needed vacation. Willow is a driven, independent person. She has the typical first-born genes running through her and a stubborn streak. I loved her!

Corbin is a former NFL player, currently in rehab for his damaged shoulder. He relocated to Willow’s small town, not for her though it may have crossed his mind 😉 No it was for the stellar physical therapist and his declining father who needed a stable home. Corbin’s character is not what Willow remembers. He is a very different person so when life brings them back together Willow is skeptical to trust the front he shows in her presence.

While this story revolves around Willow and Corbin, it also focuses on Charlotte Dixon’s search for her great-aunt who went missing years earlier. She enlists Corbin and Willow’s help, forcing them to interact. I loved the mystery surround the disappearance and their investigation into it. But I perhaps loved what it revealed about Willow and Corbin. This isn’t a very light read. It deals with some heavy truths that Willow must accept about herself before she can enter into a relationship again.

Overall I loved Falling for You. Becky Wade‘s ability to pull at my heart-strings is a masterful. Willow and Corbin broke my heart and mended it all in one little book. If you enjoy second-chance romance with a Christian theme, I highly recommend it.

I first came across this book when another blogger posted her review for it. It sounded like something I would enjoy and I was right. True to You by Becky Wade is a sweet, heart-breaking and gut-wrenching story about two unlikely people falling in love. BUT it is more than that. I honestly don’t know how to describe it! It’s a beautiful story about redemption and acceptance.

The book opens with Nora Bradford playing a hostage with her sister at John Lawson’s security firm. This meet-cute is everything! I loved it. There’s the appropriate amount of swooning from the girl and the intrigue from the guy. It’s perfect. Nora accepts she’ll probably never see this man again, but he does reach out for other reasons and the story evolves from there.

Nora is a quirky librarian and owner of the historical village in her small hometown. She’s passionate with her work, but keeps her heart close. She’s been hurt before and doesn’t plan to let that happen again. When John asks her for his help in finding his birth family, she dives into the project. She loves genealogy and research, but she also finds herself falling for the former Navy SEAL.

John Lawson is a strong male lead that I fell in love with as Nora did. He has never wanted to know about his birth family. He loves his adoptive parents, but when he is diagnosed with a genetic condition he decides he needs to know. It’s the reason he tells himself he sought out Nora. Afterall he has a girlfriend and he is not the cheating type, neither is Nora.

This story is all about the plot twists. One I expected and may have even rolled my eyes at. But the other?! It blew me away! I cried so hard for these characters, and guys it’s been a long time since a book made me cry. Oh but Nora and John do!

Overall I really enjoyed Nora and John’s romance. It’s heart-breaking, but the author writes it beautifully. I couldn’t sit it down. I read and re-read passages. And the blend of Christianity into the story and the heart of the characters was perfect. I highly recommend you grab a box of tissues and read this one ASAP.

Then Came You by Becky Wade is a prequel novella to the A Bradford Sisters Romance. It can be read at anytime of the series. It doesn’t spoil any of the books I promise. I read it after reading [b:Falling for You|36347611|Falling for You (A Bradford Sisters Romance, #2)|Becky Wade|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1508617342s/36347611.jpg|58028831], the second book of the series. However I think I would have benefited in reading it prior to the first book. Written as a journal by the Bradford’s father, Then Came You gives a glimpse into the lives of the sisters as children. It eludes to events that are discussed at in length in the novels. However Becky Wade gives enough details about these events in the novels that it isn’t necessary to read this first. Personally I like as many details as I can get 😉 Plus I loved getting to know their father and mothers better.

The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March is the 14th book in Eternity Springs and the first that I’ve read. Set in a small Colorado town, I found myself charmed by the people and open to the sweet romance the book seemed to promise. However I wasn’t prepared for the heart-aching story of redemption.

Caitlin Timberlake is the youngest of the Timberlake clan and, if you ask her mother, the most successful. An interior designer in New York, on the surface Caitlin has it all. Yet she is missing something. Once home she realizes what it is – home and a family to call her own. She’s been following her mother’s dreams and not her own. I respect that Caitlin knows what she wants and goes for it. It was refreshing to read a character that was so driven. She’s determined to move back to Eternity Springs and start a daycare. The mechanic is a bonus 😉

Josh Tarlington is not at all what I expected. He is dead set against a relationship of any kind. But he can’t seem to get Caitlin out of his mind. SO he is upfront and honest with her from the start. He will not commit to a relationship, not with her or anyone. I found his honesty refreshing. As the reader, we get glimpses into his past through journal entries and letters. I was not expecting the dark turn in his story. It’s heartbreaking and I ached for him.

The First Kiss of Spring is more than a romance. It’s a story about people with real-life problems, goals and ambitions. I loved the meet-cute between Caitlin and Josh. I love her determination from the start that Josh is her one, how she pursues him despite his own warnings that he won’t commit. It was different than other contemporary romances I’ve read. I loved the setting of spring too. Spring is a promise of rebirth after a long dead winter. It mimics Josh and Caitlin’s story perfectly.

Overall I enjoyed The First Kiss of Spring. While it can be read as a standalone in the Eternity Springs, I don’t recommend it. I recommend reading from the start as I suspect there is some world-building I missed surrounding the town and characters. Plus there will be spoilers in the story to previous books as characters crossover and appear here. If you enjoy small-town romance, I highly recommend it.

Four years y’all….I waited four years for Broken Kei by Jen Wylie and it was SO worth it. This book was everything I’ve been waiting for in The Broken Ones. I love Aro and Kei, and the rest of her boys. I love the world-building. I even love the sketchy dragon. Y’all I loved it all!!!

Please note that if you have NOT read the previous books in this series that there may be spoilers to those books in this review. Though I will do my best to limit them.

In Broken Kei, we have a very broken Fey boy and it broke my heart. Aro is at a loss without her Kei, but she is determined to save him, and save him she will. I love Aro. Everytime I think I think her character has matured and can’t possibly grow more, I’m proved wrong. This girl is always adapting and changing to her environment and what is expected of her. I loved seeing her expand and play with her new Fey abilities with Kei’s help of course 😉 It’s inspiring to say the least.

Aro is a force to be reckoned with. However she’s mourning and grieving in this book. With everything that happened in [b:Broken Promise|23212686|Broken Promise (The Broken Ones, #3)|Jen Wylie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1410785102s/23212686.jpg|42755311], she really didn’t have time to reconcile how much she missed Prince, and now how much she misses a pirate. And don’t get me started on the elf that is pledged to protect her life. He’s more than a little cray-cray.

As Aro and Kei move into the forest, it becomes clear that they must deal with the were who do not understand Aro’s use of their magic. While they pledge themselves to Aro and accept her as a pack alpha, I’m not sure how much I trust them. In fact, if I were her, I’d stay clear.

Y’all this book is packed full of action and twists and turns. I didn’t want it to end. And YALL!!!!! There is one plot point that nearly destroyed me. I cried and grieved with Aro and then I was angry. All I can say is I hope that this particular plot point takes another turn in the next book because I just can’t handle it….

Overall, if you haven’t already guessed, I loved Broken Kei. It was well worth the long wait to see more of Aro and her boys. I missed them!!! And if I’m not mistaken the next book will be the final in the series and I’m not ready to tell them bye. I’d be happy to read ten more books featuring Aro and her boys and this fantastic world Jen Wylie has created. If you enjoy epic fantasy, I highly recommend it!

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

Island of Exiles by Erica Cameron is an addictive, high-stakes read. I found myself engrossed from page one. What makes it so addictive was the unique world-building and setting Cameron developed through the eyes of her main character Khya. It is unlike anything I’ve ever read!

Khya is a warrior, put simply. She, like everyone else, puts Shiara, her home and people, above everything else. Basically the way the society works is like an “all for one and one for all” mentality. It is the only way they could survive this harsh world. But back to Khya. She has bought into this idea wholeheartedly. She will give her life for Shiara, and do whatever is asked of her. That is until her brother is killed.

Yorri is the catalyst of this story. We see a very small glimpse of him through Khya’s eyes before he dies, then we see him in another light. Khya would do anything for him, and it takes her from a character that is hardened and disliked to one you love and root for.

The plot of the book is that the elders of Shiara are hiding something and killing people to do so. It’s devastating for someone like Khya who has devoted her life to doing what the elders wish. I couldn’t sit the book down at this point. I was so engrossed in the mystery and deception Khya uncovers. Not to mention the romance 😉 My favorite person in the book is Terren and he is Khya’s least favorite person. It’s obvious to everyone but Khya Terren’s intentions. I found myself swooning over him and his unintentional sweet acts over and over. So much swooning!!

Overall, I really enjoyed Island of Exiles. I’ll admit that even though I couldn’t sit the book down, it did take me longer to read than usual. I think that is do to the world-building at the beginning of the book. It is all told through the character’s perspective and the author avoids big info-dumps. As a result, it took a little while for me to catch on to the terminology and setting than it usually would. That’s a positive though because it is unlike anything I’ve ever read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a dystopian fantasy.

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

I had a hard time getting into True Born by L.E. Sterling. There is a lot of info-dump at the beginning as the author sets up the world, but once I got past I’d say the first third of the book I was hooked. True Born takes place in a dystopian society where a mysterious plague killed nearly everyone. Now there are only two classes: the very rich and the very poor. There is really no inbetween. In addition to these, there are new races that are based on your genes: the Lasters (who are doomed to die), the Splicers (who do exactly what the name suggests, splicing their DNA with other DNA in an effort to survive this plague), and the True Born (who are born immune to the plague).

Lucy and her twin sister Margot don’t seem to fit into any of the new races and no one will tell them why or what they are. When her sister goes missing, Lucy is left to find her and uncover the mystery surrounding them. Lucy is the good sister, the one who never steps a toe out of line. Margot is the one who sneaks off to parties, the courageous one in Lucy’s eyes. So Lucy is at a loss as to what to do. She finds herself having to rely on the True Borns to find her sister. Lucy is an easy character to like, but she has her own prejudices. I like how the author filters these through her eyes, letting the readers see the world as she sees it. She’s very naive in my opinion.

Jared is a True Born who Lucy winds up trusting and y’all he is one of the main reasons I kept reading 😉 He’s snarky with beautiful eyes that remind me of the old mood rings I wore as I child, shifting with his moods. He both intrigued and terrified me. And oh Lord did he have my heart pounding with Lucy when he kissed her *fans self* Yet he’s aloof and leaves Lucy very confused….me too come to think of it.

While True Born is based in a science fiction genre, it gave me more of a fantasy vibe what with the shifting eye color, the horns (don’t ask, just read) and so on. I enjoyed the book, I liked Lucy and Jared’s relationship, and I need to know what will happen next after that cliffhanger. If you enjoy fast-paced dystopian fiction with a hint of romance and a lot of action, I highly recommend it.

So I am super late in getting to this book but y’all it is SO good!!! The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken is one of the darkest books I’ve read in a long time. I mean it’s like The Hunger Games and X-men had a baby this would be it. I listened to this book over a two day time period and really didn’t want to take breaks, but alas I didn’t think my 7 year old should hear some of it. Why did I not know about this book sooner y’all?!

The story centers around Ruby, a young girl who at the age of ten survived whatever plague is killing America’s children. At ten Ruby survived only to become something that scared her parents. Six years later Ruby is still in the “rehabilitation camp” (y’all if this is what they call rehabilitation they need their heads examined) they sent her too. At 16 Ruby hides her true abilities which frighten even her. Then she escapes and joins another group of kids like her who are looking for one of the only safe havens left: East Lake.

Ruby is an amazing character. She is just a teenage girl who is scared and confused. She doesn’t understand her abilities and that frightens her. She hurt her parents and that terrifies her. She’s grown up in what is basically a concentration camp/prison for kids like her. And why? Because she survived when she should have died. Ruby is naive as she should be since she’s been in a camp for six years with no education or guidance. But despite the naviety she is distrustful and cautious, great traits for someone on the run.

Liam is the leader of the group she joins on the run. Like her he has abilities, but unlike her he was taught how to harness and use them properly. Basically it sounds like they were training him to be a soldier one day….at least that’s my assumption. I love Liam. He’s kind, dealing with his own baggage, and falling for Ruby despite how hard she pushes him away. I love the banter between the two of them. It’s what you’d expect from two teens falling in love.

Then they arrive at East Lake. Y’all this place reminded me of a cult. It was creepy from the start and I couldn’t fathom why they’d stay. But then I remembered they only knew the inside of a “rehabilitation camp.” Suddenly East Lake didn’t look so bad. It was full of kids like Ruby and Liam who had abilities and were learning to use them. They farmed and hunted for food, did border patrols, and took in more kids on the run. On the surface it seemed safe, but something about the leader I didn’t trust and I was right not too.

Overall I loved The Darkest Minds. It’s a dark, dystopian read….my favorite kind. But what really made the story was Ruby and Liam’s relationship. And that ending?!?! Y’all I’m dying over here. I need to read the next one ASAP. If you enjoy dystopian and you’re like me and have been living under a rock, grab a copy and read it asap. It won’t disappoint.

I first read Mortal Engines in high school and I loved it. When I saw they were making a movie, I knew I needed to reread it and refresh my brain prior to seeing the movie. Y’all I’m sad to report the book wasn’t as good as I remember. Now some of that may be caused by the fact I listened to it this time around. The narrator has a thick British accent and at times I couldn’t understand him or I’d get distracted by how different a word sounded with his accent when compared to my own. But that’s on me 😉

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve is a unique YA dystopian set in a world where water is scarce and cities are gigantic monstrosities on wheels. These cities roam the world in search of smaller cities to devour and scavenge wreckage for parts and people. The whole idea of this society engaged me from the start. It’s a future I wouldn’t want to live in, that’s for sure. This book follows one city in particular, London as it looks for a way to become the dominant city in this new world.

Tom is fifteen and an apprentice Historian in London at the opening of the book. He longs for adventure and daydreams of saving damsels from the air pirates who would see them as slaves to sell. Unfortunately for Tom, a chance encounter with a young girl hideously scarred will lead him down a rabbit hole he never thought existed and the adventure he was looking for finds him.

So the things I loved as a high school student such as the setting and action are still present. In fact I found myself holding my breath during the fight scenes and even thirsty as Tom walked across the barren land. But I was distracted by the quality of the characters. Tom is really the only fully fleshed out character. The rest are fall flat on the pages, the airship pirates, the cyborg zombie, the scarred girl, all of them fall flat. Maybe it’s my age now that has me questioning the characters and their choices, but I didn’t like a lot of them as I did when I was a teen. If it wasn’t for the violence, this book would rank more middle grade to me than young adult.

Overall, Mortal Engines was just okay for me. I’m not sure I want to finish rereading the series now. I think I may just stick to what I remember as a teen and enjoy the movie 😉

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 began reading Sky Without Stars prior to the book’s release, but y’all I underestimated its length. 😂 I spent the last two weeks on another planet. While Chatine was chased by Policier droids, I held my breath. I swooned over the slightly incompetent Marcellus, and I rolled my eyes at the smart yet naivé Alouette. To say that I enjoyed Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody, Joanne Rendell is an understatement. The complexity of the characters and their plights will leave you breathless and your heart aching. Told from the point of view of three very different characters, as the reader you get a glimpse into life on Laterre.

The Thief
If I had to guess, I’d say that Chatine has the most page time of the three main characters. She is a hard girl to like, but equally hard to dislike. She’s crafty and fiesty, living her life cheating the system that rules her. Chatine goes by the name Théo and has tricked her Skin (this is like a tracker/communicator/barcode type thing in her arm) into believing she is a boy. She lives in the Third Estate which is basically the poor working class on Laterre. Her parents are head of a gang, and she is saving as much money as she can to buy her way off planet. I can’t blame her one bit. Her life sucks. When she is offered an opportunity off planet by none other than the general, she grabs it. However she didn’t expect to fall for the boy she is sent to spy on.

The Officer
Marcellus is the grandson of the general of Laterre and the son of a traitor. Needless to say, he is confused and constantly questioning himself and those around him. Marcellus has a complex where he needs to prove he isn’t his father and that he is the most loyal of the Second Estate. He works hard to prove this to everyone around him. When he learns that his father is dead, Marcellus tries to show no emotion, which is heartbreaking. Then when he goes to identify the body and determine what will happen to it, he finds a message written in the Forgotten Word (re: all writing) sewn on the inside of his father’s prison uniform. This sends him spiraling, and it doesn’t take much imagination as to why. I hurt for him, and at times wanted to slap him upside the head. For an officer, he was not observant.

The Guardian
Alouette is my least favorite of the three characters. I’m not really sure why either. I struggled reading her chapters. They were a distraction from the main plot and my obvious ship (Chatine and Marcellus….it will never happen, but I can dream right 😉) Alouette lives underground, literally, with her papa and the Sisters who are charged with protecting the Forgotten Word and Laterre’s last known library. Alouette is studying to become a sister and working towards this the entire book. Yet a brief encounter with Marcellus sends her on a wild goose chase as she discovers her papa isn’t who she thought he was and the world isn’t how she believed.

A Sci-Fi Les Misérables
When I first heard that Sky Without Stars would be a futuristic, sci-fi retelling of Hugo’s classic, I knew I would read it. While I can honestly say that I’ve only ever read an abridged version of the book, I do love all its incarnations. It’s iconic! When someone takes something that is iconic like Les Mis and makes it their own, it will either flop or be fantastic. There’s very little middle ground, in my opinion. I can confidently say that Sky Without Stars is brillant! The author’s borrow very little from the original. They do borrow the characters (most notably Cosette, Marius, and Éponine), the discontent among the classes, and of course the revolution. It’s beautifully written! People that haven’t read or watched Les Mis will be fine. I loved the world-building, incorporating revolutionary France with life on another world and the dystopian side of it as the Third Estate starves to feed the First and Second.

Final Thoughts
Overall I really enjoyed Sky Without Stars….have I said that already 😉 In all seriousness, the book is a fantastic read, though a little long. Alright a LOT long, and at times because we are reading from three points of view, it can be repetitive which is why I rated it 4.5 instead of 5 stars. Despite that, I highly recommend this to any fan of Les Mis, space operas, and dystopias. It will not disappoint!