ARC Review: The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby

“Jessi Kirby’s books just keep getting better and better, and The Secret History of Us is her best yet. It beautifully touches on all the most important things in life—love, family, friendship, memory, and bacon. I loved it.”
—Morgan Matson, New York Times bestselling author of The Unexpected Everything

The Secret History of Us by Jessi Kirby

Rating: 4 out of 5

Expected publication: August 1st 2017 by HarperTeen

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Synopsis:

When Olivia awakes in a hospital bed following a car accident that almost took her life, she can’t remember the details about how she got there. She figures the fog is just a symptom of being in a week-long coma, but as time goes on, she realizes she’s lost more than just the last several days of her life—she’s lost her memory of the last four years. Gone is any recollection of starting or graduating high school; the prom; or her steady boyfriend Matt. Trying to figure out who she is feels impossible when everyone keeps telling her who she was.

As Liv tries to block out what her family and friends say about who she used to be, the one person she hasn’t heard enough from is Walker, the guy who saved her the night her car was knocked off that bridge into the bay below. Walker is the hardened boy who’s been keeping his distance—and the only person Olivia inexplicably feels herself with. With her feelings growing for Walker, tensions rising with Matt, and secrets she can’t help but feel are being kept from her, Olivia must find her place in a life she doesn’t remember living.

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ARC Review: Grit by Gillian French

Grit by Gillian French

Rating: 4 out of 5

Expected publication: May 16th 2017 by HarperTeen

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Synopsis:

His presence beside me is like heat, like weight, something I’ve carried around on my back too long.

Raw and moving, this contemporary realistic debut novel will leave readers of E. Lockhart and Gayle Forman breathless as it unflinchingly unfolds the tragic secrets being kept in a small, deceptively idyllic Maine town.

Seventeen-year-old Darcy Prentiss has long held the title of “town slut.” She knows how to have a good time, sure, but she isn’t doing anything all the guys haven’t done. But when you’re a girl with a reputation, every little thing that happens seems to keep people whispering—especially when your ex-best friend goes missing.

But if anyone were to look closer at Darcy, they’d realize there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. Staying out late, hooking up, and telling lies is what Darcy does to forget. Forget about the mysterious disappearance of her friend. Forget about the dark secret she and her cousin Nell share. Forget about that hazy Fourth of July night. So when someone in town anonymously nominates Darcy to be in the running for Bay Festival Princess—a cruel act only someone with a score to settle would make—all of the things that Darcy wants to keep hidden threaten to erupt in ways she wasn’t prepared to handle…and isn’t sure if she can.

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ARC Review: Dream Me by Kathryn Berla

Dream Me by Kathryn Berla



Expected publication: July 11th 2017 by Amberjack Publishing
From: NetGalley
My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:

Every night Babe dreams of a boy she's never met before named Zat. But Zat is no ordinary daydream. He's actually a human from the distant future, who has travelled back in time to be with Babe in the only way that he can be--in her dreams.

But the dreams leave Babe more and more tired and pained each morning. Zat is determined to help her, even if it means never sharing dreams with her again.

Review: Upside Down (Off the Map #1) by Lia Riley

 Upside Down (Off the Map #1) by Lia Riley

Published: 5th August 2014

Rating: 4 out of 5

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If You Never Get Lost, You’ll Never Be Found 

Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying good-bye to the past-and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she'll act like a carefree exchange student, not a girl sinking under the weight of painful memories. Everything is going according to plan until she meets a brooding surfer with hypnotic green eyes and the troubling ability to see straight through her act. 

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he moved back home to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He's never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . or if they were meant to live a world apart.

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Review:

Let me start of by saying, this book wasn't what I expected. It was a ton better on every level.

For starters Talia is, from the very beginning, still trying to get over her sisters death. Usually at a time of grief family members support one another. But in Talia's case both her parents have effectively shut down as well. Leaving nothing for Talia, no coping mechanism, not joint grief counselling. Her mother has hopped off to Hawaii, and her father can barely look at Talia. Everything here screams "You're being so unfair on your 'living' daughter, help her". But no. 

Talia has OCD, convinces herself daily that she's dying, spends countless hours on MD websites to study symptoms of her soon-to-be demise, although I think deep down she knows she's being neurotic. One of her best friends was actually her sisters best friend so that's always awkward, even though they usually all hung out together. And then there's the 'mistake' of sleeping with her sisters ex-boyfriend on the one year anniversary of her death. For Talia a trip to Oz is a chance to breath again. And I don't blame her.

We meet Bran a few chapters into the story. An activist to the core, he fights everything his father stands for. Bran was basically brought up by his sister in between boarding schools. His parents are incredibly wealthy but are too busy enjoying their own life to really give a damn about Bran. From the time Bran and Talia got together they clicked. Not in an insta-lust kind of way. There's snark, sarcasm, innuendos and gobble gosh in gosh bucket, Bran spots Talia's OCD in a blink of an eye. Nobody had ever noticed her little traits before. They get along well but soon Bran puts on the breaks. He's hiding something, in fact, he's hiding lots of things and Talia tries to uncover why.. 

I enjoyed reading both characters stories, my heart broke a little for both of them and it certainly picked up at other times ;) The tale is well developed and follows a nice arc to its conclusion. Meeting and falling for someone is always difficult for both sides but if you work it through then a rainbow will always appear. And Talia waited for hers and finally got to see the colours of life.

The story is set in Austalia which makes for a refreshing change. But it isn't lingo/slang heavy. The pace is steady and we have 2 POV's. But that's not the end of Talia and Bran's tale. There is a sequel, and I can't wait to pick it up :) 

- CBx

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You can reach Lia Riley here:

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Review: Her Best Laid Plans by Cara McKenna

Her Best Laid Plans by Cara McKenna 

Published: April 15th 2014

From: Net Galley

Rating: 4 out of 5

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Synopsis:

Imagine nursing a pint in a cozy, authentic country pub, far from Cork's busy city pulse. Getting here took you a plane, bus, taxi and…um, bicycle. But just as you're resigning yourself to drinking beside grey-haired farmers, you see him—a man with the looks and charm to soothe any heartbroken girl.

He's your bartender. Your really, really gorgeous bartender.

For American Jamie Webb—recently dumped and housesitting for two weeks—Connor Kelleher is like a six-course feast after a 23-year starvation diet. But it's gotta be casual. She's just begun rerouting her life after a three-year man-related detour. Still, a sexy romp (or twenty!) with Sexy McBartender?

But what happens when Jamie's best-laid plans for no future plans with any man begin to change?

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Review:

This is a cute but quick read. Jamie, an American, has 10 days in Ireland and meets the hunky Connor, a barman, on her first night in a sleepy Irish pub nestled in a small village near Cork.

Temperatures rise as Connor and Jamie both have instant chemistry to one another. The next 10 days happen to be the best for both of them.

No strings, no attachments, no...hope of a happily ever after? Both sides have firm plans of studying followed by permanent jobs. But they enjoy their time together as much as they can. 

If you've never been to Ireland before then you'll love this. The story is really well written with enough zest, irish charm and spiciness to keep your toes curled. And the ending? *sigh!

-CBx

Review: Mad Love by Colet Abedi

Mad Love by Colet Abedi 

Publishers: Bird Street Books

Date: March 10th 2014

My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:

23-year-old aspiring artist Sophie Walker can think of no better place than the exotic paradise of the Maldives to escape the wrath of her controlling parents, the monotony of her boring legal work and her passionless boyfriend. With her two best friends along for the ride and to help her find herself again, Sophie is not prepared for the enigmatic Clayton Sinclair. Clayton comes from another world of privilege that seems like a fantasy to Sophie. Can this man introduce her to the passion & seduction she never realized she was desperately searching for? Sophie quickly becomes ensnared in Clayton's seductive web until a shocking treachery makes her question her judgment and actions...

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Review:

For starters I won't rehash the subtle if a little predictable story. Many other reviewers have done a fine job of that already.

What I liked about Mad Love: 

Erik and Orie - The boyfriend and boyfriend sidekicks who give Sophie moral support on her holiday. One is a hair stylist and the other a fashion dresser to the stars. Convenient, especially when the all-important 'date' happens, and not that original. However they do provide refreshing conversation away from Sophie's sometimes naive and obsessive side. 

The scene-setting - I want to go to the Maldives now! 

Elizabeth (Clayton's friend) - If it wasn't for her I think I would have DNF'd long before. 

In general - the writing style was great. Quick paced. A little heavy sometime on the info-dump that wasn't necessarily required in this part of the story. Smart jumps between scenes with regular stops. 

What I didn't like about Mad Love: 

Clayton - Oh dear, it doesn't bode well when I think the lead male is an idiot. Devoid of any real emotion apart from the male grunts of 'I want you'. His aloofness and reluctance to be any kind of fun took the dazzle out of him. All I can say is he came across as arrogant and unkind. Not sexy or enigmatic in any way. 

Sophie - Even worse when the lead female is also an idiot. Maybe that's why I kept on reading. Again, this may be naivety but she also lacked character or a spark in her belly. For a 23 year old with some experience of life she came across as slightly robotic. 

Clayton's friends (except Elizabeth) - I can only think they've been included as crowd fillers and have some deep import in the next books. I couldn't get a grasp of Eduard or John's general character. All we know of Jane is allegedly a snotty nosed cow. All I read into her was her dialogue was a little toooo english because english people really don't use words as she used them any more. Maybe in the Houses of Parliament. Or on BBC Radio 4. 

Jerry's arrival on the island - All very Shirley Valentine. Here's the ex arrived and ready to dive in and continue where they left off. No, forget SV. It's more of a Bridget Jones thing. Either way it didn't do anything but annoy me. Especially Sophie's delayed reaction. I would have slogged him in the mouth myself before Clayton even had a chance. 

'Nuff said. I also hated the cliff-hanger. 

-CBx 

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Review: Lingering Echoes by Erica Kiefer

Lingering Echoes by Erica Kiefer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Published November 16th 2013 by Clean Teen Publishing

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She's broken with guilt.  He harbors a chilling past. 
It's safer if they keep their distance...  But, the echoes that linger connect them. 

Returning to Hidden Pines is the last thing Allie Collins wants to do during her final summer before college. For her, the family cabin she spent her youthful summers in, now holds a dark memory that has haunted her every day for the last year. 

While struggling to forget her past, Allie runs into Damien, a local rebel with secrets of his own. He's dark, dangerous and he keeps showing up when Allie least expects him to. She has every reason not to trust him. So why does she find herself opening up to him in a way she hasn't been able to with anyone? 

As pieces of Damien’s identity emerge, answers to a rumored mystery begin to unfold. By the time Allie unearths the secrets of Damien’s past, she realizes just how intricately they are connected. Now she is caught in a dangerous battle that threatens her life and those she loves.

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I loved the characters in this book. From the outset you know something terrible has happened to Allie. She's on holiday with her Dad, his wife and her son, Nick. But not everything is happy in holiday land. Allie's saving grace is her new friend Brooke and Nick's friend-for-the-holiday, Aaron.

Nick and Allie clearly don't get on. whether it's from a close age difference or clash of characters, we don't get to the bottom of his attitude until later. But for now Allie is hurting inside, Nick is taunting her, and she is keeping a secret so close to her chest that none of her family can break through to her. Last year, at the same resort, her cousin Maddie died. Allie believes the accident was her fault.

Through the trees Allie spies a guy staring at her on numerous occasions. This might be somewhat creepy but there's something about him that doesn't scream "stalker!" Over the next few days they have a couple of chance meetings, and she realises that although he doesn't talk about himself at all Damien is nice, kind and thoughtful.

Eventually weird things happen, such as a strange fortune teller and a story of a fire close by killing a family except one member. Slowly the urban myths begin to merge and soon Allie is caught in a web of lies, truth and knows not what or who to believe.

The mystery in this book keeps you gripped. The overall story was very well written. The pace was even and kept me enthralled into the early hours. I confess I couldn't put it down. My only disappointment was the ending. Neither a HEA or a what happens next' - just a "now." I would like to have known.

There is plenty of romance and not all from Damien. Allie gains her confidence in a big way and I liked her in the beginning but loved her towards the end.

- CBx

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