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samantha_randolph's Reviews (1.59k)
Short and Sweet:
I LOVE THIS BOOK. Full of action, delicious romance, and a modernized version of the Hatfields and McCoys, this is a wonderful, wonderful story, and I LOVEZ IT.
To Elaborate...
After a suspicious fire, Mickey Rhodale and Victoria Whitfield get their first look at each other and undeniably like what they see. The more they get to know each other though, the more a not-so-buried feud rises and threatens to tear them apart. Dangerous family members and hidden schemes surround them, and they will both have to choose what cost they are willing to pay to be together.
Though I've been pining over this book for a while, it got off to a slow start for me. The action was already there, with the fire happening in the first chapter, but for some reason, I was struggling a bit (I was also marathoning Gilmore Girls which admittedly does nothing for my concentration). However, after a few more chapters, I couldn't put this book down. Victoria and Mickey are intrigued with each other (and attracted to each other) early on, but until they really hang out a few times, they have no idea how much serious chemistry there is between them. They understand each other on a level they never expected to, what with coming from completely separate backgrounds and all. I hard-core adore how much strength and bravery they find in each other, but even more so, how much they learn to grow as individuals. Both face some serious problems at home, and I was constantly amazed at how well they learned to fight through their obstacles.
The setting is so rich in this. It's Southern, but rarely falls into any stereotypes or cliches about the area (thank goodness! #southerngirl). The families are both so complex, and it's easy to see how the bad blood between them has grown and really snowballed over time. The drug dealing and suburban development also feel so realistic and overall just create a super intense backdrop for the characters.
All in all, this is now a new favorite of mine. I highly recommend it for fans of Katie McGarry.
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-lonesome-young-by-lucy-connors.html
I LOVE THIS BOOK. Full of action, delicious romance, and a modernized version of the Hatfields and McCoys, this is a wonderful, wonderful story, and I LOVEZ IT.
To Elaborate...
After a suspicious fire, Mickey Rhodale and Victoria Whitfield get their first look at each other and undeniably like what they see. The more they get to know each other though, the more a not-so-buried feud rises and threatens to tear them apart. Dangerous family members and hidden schemes surround them, and they will both have to choose what cost they are willing to pay to be together.
Though I've been pining over this book for a while, it got off to a slow start for me. The action was already there, with the fire happening in the first chapter, but for some reason, I was struggling a bit (I was also marathoning Gilmore Girls which admittedly does nothing for my concentration). However, after a few more chapters, I couldn't put this book down. Victoria and Mickey are intrigued with each other (and attracted to each other) early on, but until they really hang out a few times, they have no idea how much serious chemistry there is between them. They understand each other on a level they never expected to, what with coming from completely separate backgrounds and all. I hard-core adore how much strength and bravery they find in each other, but even more so, how much they learn to grow as individuals. Both face some serious problems at home, and I was constantly amazed at how well they learned to fight through their obstacles.
The setting is so rich in this. It's Southern, but rarely falls into any stereotypes or cliches about the area (thank goodness! #southerngirl). The families are both so complex, and it's easy to see how the bad blood between them has grown and really snowballed over time. The drug dealing and suburban development also feel so realistic and overall just create a super intense backdrop for the characters.
All in all, this is now a new favorite of mine. I highly recommend it for fans of Katie McGarry.
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-lonesome-young-by-lucy-connors.html
"Regan Wakefield is quick to judge, usually accurately, and even quicker to act. When she plays bridesmaid at her friend's wedding, she knows within minutes that the best man, a high class businessman named Logan, is the one her sights should be set on. Groomsman Brock doesn't see it that way. He knows their attraction is worth a lot more than the nothing Regan and Logan have in common. How long will they be able to keep butting heads before one of them is finally convinced on what they really need?" Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=45019
"Julie, maid of honor at her friend's wedding, is perfectly fine with some sex while at the resort as long as it doesn't get in the way of her people pleasing. Reed can't help but want to see Julie relax for five minutes, especially if it means him being the one to help her do so. What starts as an accidental night of passion turns into a connection that both try to fight. When neither are willing to own up to the pasts that still haunt them, they will have to decide if they can stand walking away from each other or not." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=45020
"Already exhausted from work, Logan McCade isn't too thrilled to be given additional duties as best man when the groom asks him to keep an eye out for his little sister and make sure she participates in the wedding activities. When he sees just how much Sophie has grown up, his problem goes from trying to keep an eye on her to not being able to take his eyes, or his hands, off her. Sophie never guessed that Logan would be interested in her as most of her brother's friends just see her as a quasi-sister, but the more Logan forces her out of her shell, the sexier their interactions get. As the wedding gets closer, they might have to admit the wedding couple aren't the only ones with romance on their mind." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=45058
"Inheriting a city full of anger, corruption, and fear isn't exactly what a future Contessa would want. Sofia Scaligeri desperately wants to change her home, but it seems impossible with all the enemies they face. When a Concordian engineer, Giovanni, agrees to build a bridge over the Irenicon, a solution starts to present itself. But with a deadly Wave coming, no one can tell who will survive." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=45110
"Now that everyone knows who Scarlet truly is, she has to be more careful than ever with Gisbourne still on her trail. When he comes to her with a dangerous, but irresistible offer, she will have to work with him in order to get what she desires most." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=45112
Short and Sweet:
This is easily one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. I love the verse/writing and the sheer beauty of the setting and characters. It's simply stunning.
To Elaborate...
Veda loves to do nothing more than dance, though her mother doesn't wholly approve. When a car accident causes her to lose part of her leg, her life is changed forever, but she swears she will dance again. After facing difficulty after difficulty, she enrolls in a new dance school and starts lessons with patient and strong Govinda. Now, Veda will have to learn to dance with her prosthetic leg and find her spirituality once more now that her life has been forever altered.
From the beginning, the writing in this is so beautiful. I really like free verse novels, and this one blew me out of the water. A Time to Dance manages to convey so much depth, detail, and richness into small passages that left me in awe.
Within the writing, Veda's character is incredible. Her emotions are so raw and real, and her bravery and strength are inspiring. I love the growth she has in finding her peace with her new situation mixed with wonderful details about her culture and how religion often ties into their dance. The chemistry between her and Govinda is so intensely smoldering, and their primary physical contact is just in dance (as opposed to intense make out sessions and such).
Overall, I can't recommend this one enough. It's beautiful, insightful, and it's a brilliant read.
Bonus: One of my favorite quotes from page 98: "To me, Karma isn't about divine reward or retribution./ Karma is about making wise choices to create a better future./ It's taking responsibility for your actions./ Karma helps me see every hurdle as a chance to grow/ into a stronger, kinder soul."
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-time-to-dance-by-padma.html
This is easily one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. I love the verse/writing and the sheer beauty of the setting and characters. It's simply stunning.
To Elaborate...
Veda loves to do nothing more than dance, though her mother doesn't wholly approve. When a car accident causes her to lose part of her leg, her life is changed forever, but she swears she will dance again. After facing difficulty after difficulty, she enrolls in a new dance school and starts lessons with patient and strong Govinda. Now, Veda will have to learn to dance with her prosthetic leg and find her spirituality once more now that her life has been forever altered.
From the beginning, the writing in this is so beautiful. I really like free verse novels, and this one blew me out of the water. A Time to Dance manages to convey so much depth, detail, and richness into small passages that left me in awe.
Within the writing, Veda's character is incredible. Her emotions are so raw and real, and her bravery and strength are inspiring. I love the growth she has in finding her peace with her new situation mixed with wonderful details about her culture and how religion often ties into their dance. The chemistry between her and Govinda is so intensely smoldering, and their primary physical contact is just in dance (as opposed to intense make out sessions and such).
Overall, I can't recommend this one enough. It's beautiful, insightful, and it's a brilliant read.
Bonus: One of my favorite quotes from page 98: "To me, Karma isn't about divine reward or retribution./ Karma is about making wise choices to create a better future./ It's taking responsibility for your actions./ Karma helps me see every hurdle as a chance to grow/ into a stronger, kinder soul."
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-time-to-dance-by-padma.html
"As infamous as the tale of Peter Pan is, Captain Hook knows it is not the truth. Cursed to be the villain in a sordid game of war, all Hook wants is to be away from Pan and his cruelty. However, no one can leave Neverland. Everything changes when Stella Parrish, a grown woman, shows up without Pan's knowing. As Hook tries to figure out what that means, he finds himself feeling emotion he thought he didn't have anymore. If he can learn to accept love and feel it once more, he may find a way out of the scary Neverland." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=45257
"Stranded in Wendlyn, Celaena is barely recognizable as the girl who used to be the toughest assassin. After the death of her friend, she is broken and doesn't know what to do. When the Queen of the Fae summons her, she will be forced to confront the destiny she has been burying inside her for ten years: her rightful claim to the throne of her fallen kingdom." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=45258