Review: Remember When (Remember Trilogy #1) by T. Torrest

Remember When (Remember Trilogy #1) by T. Torrest

Published on: January 1st 2013

My Rating: 4 out of 5

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Synopsis:

Years before Trip Wiley could be seen on movie screens all over the world, he could be seen sitting in the desk behind me in my high school English class.

This was back in 1990, and I cite the year only to avoid dumbfounding you when references to big hair or stretch pants are mentioned. Although, come to think of it, I am from New Jersey, which may serve as explanation enough. We were teenagers then, way back in a time before anyone could even dream he’d turn into the Hollywood commodity that he is today.

In case you live under a rock and don't know who Trip Wiley is, just know that these days, he’s the actor found at the top of every casting director’s wish list. He’s incredibly talented and insanely gorgeous, the combination of which has made him very rich, very famous and very desirable.

And not just to casting directors, either.

I can’t confirm any of the gossip from his early years out in Tinseltown, but based on what I knew of his life before he was famous, I can tell you that the idea of Girls-Throwing-Themselves-At-Trip is not a new concept.

I should know. I was one of them.

And my life hasn’t been the same since.

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Review:

There's something very refreshing about reading a book set in the '90's. If you think about it, it isn't that long ago but boy, how little things have changed. No mobile phones, no internet, no IM's. Talking to someone means you use a landline phone or speak to them in person. And to get to know someone you actually have to have a conversation with no stalking their fb page or following them n twitter.


The '90's wasn't the greatest era for fashion either. Banana clips, MC Hammer trousers and big hair are mentioned among the plethora of memories forgotten.

Layla Warren has lived her whole life in the same area of New Jersey. Most of the kids from school have known her since kindergarten. Known her or know of her. Everyone knows her mother left the family home when she was 12. Everyone hears the stories that followed as to why she left. Layla was left with the knowledge that her mother just didn't love her enough to stay with her, her brother, Bruce and definitely not her father. But the family survived and got on with life.

Excitement spills around the school, especially among the girls when new boy, Trip Wilmington arrives. A kid whose moved around a lot thanks to his fathers hotel business, Layla is excited when she finds out Trip won't be moving away again. He's enticing, incredibly gorgeous and they forge a small but tangible connection on his first day.

For the next few weeks and months Layla and Trip grow together as friends even though Layla may have stronger feelings for him. she's not stupid. He got a girlfriend soon after arriving. Someone who's equally tall, gorgeous and rocks an awesome body, just like Trip. Beautiful people come together like magnets in Layla's eyes and there's no way she can compete so she settles for being friends. But Trip gives out signals that confuse her.

When her friend Lisa finally puts perspective to Layla's apparently transparent crush, Layla decides enough is enough. She's done with being the puppy following something she can't have. And so Trip and Layla fall out. And remember, this is the 90's. They can't make up unless they actually make the effort.

So was Layla right in her thinking that Trip just saw her as a conquest, someone to keep on her toes and ensure she still follows him? Does Trip really think Layla is worth breaking down the barriers to attempt a relationship? Time is running out as graduation and college dreams loom.

And no one and nothing will ever be the same again.

The first book in the Remember Trilogy is an engrossing trip down memory lane of the Senior year variety. Based mainly at school the story brings to light all the emotions, ego's, and reminds us how important it was to be a senior and fall in love with the one guy that everyone else wants.

The romance between Trip and Layla will keep you reading, no matter the time of day or night, wanting to know more. 

-CBx

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You can reach T. Torrest  here:

Twitter

Goodreads

Also available from Amazon:-

Remember When Trilogy (The Remember Trilogy)

Arc Review: Sideswiped (Off the Map #2) by Lia Riley

Sideswiped (Off the Map #2) by Lia Riley

Published by: Grand Central/Forever

Published on: October 7th 2014

My Rating: 5 out of 5

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Read my Upside Down (Off the Map #1) by Lia Riley  review here

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Synopsis

It was only meant to last the summer . . .

Talia Stolfi has seen more than her share of loss in her twenty-one years. But then fate brought her Bran Lockhart, and her dark world was suddenly and spectacularly illuminated. So if being with Bran means leaving her colorless NorCal life for rugged and wild Australia, then that’s what she’ll do. But as much as Talia longs to give herself over completely to a new beginning, the fears of her past are still lurking in the shadows.

Bran Lockhart knows that living without the beautiful girl who stole his heart will be torment, so he’ll take whatever time with her he can. But even though she has packed up her life in California and is back in his arms for the time being, she can’t stay forever. And the remaining time they have together is ticking by way too fast. Though fate seems determined to tear them apart, they won’t give up without a fight—because while time may have limits, their love is infinite . .

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Review:

I feel very blessed to have read this book. Bran and Talia are a tantalisingly perfect couple who face very real hurdles in their 22 to 24 year old lives that isn't normally covered in NA books of late. Firstly, if you haven't read Upside Down then I suggest you pick up a copy pronto.

The story carries on right after the first, with very little left between books. Talia moves on from her life in Santa Cruz. She has a few ideas of what she wants to do now that she's been left without a family home base and Australia plus living with Bran for the next four months is a natural choice. She loves Bran, the only guy, or person in general, who really gets her.

Bran has his own demons. He loves Talia and wants her with him for all time. But he won't do a long distance relationship and early on after her arrival back to Tasmania he realises he's got an uphill battle to keep her by his side. But Bran has his own ambitions in his periphery. Ambitions he's always dreamed of and is passionate about.

Talia and Bran are both realists. They want to live life with meaning. They want to serve a higher purpose. Talia still dreams of joining the Peace Corps and Bran still dreams of travelling to Antarctica for the Sea Alliance. They know their places will be rewarding to them but they also know that time is precious. And for the four months they have together, well, they have to make the most of it.

After living together for a short while Talia and Bran learn so much about each other. They both love the other fiercely, there's a give and take which they adapt to, there's an understanding. But those demons that lurk could be the big catalyst to their own downfall.

So, what to do. Do they succumb to shelving their dreams just to be together or do they compromise? Do the long distance relationship thing while they fulfill their dreams? This book takes you on their journey with surprising gender role reversals. Talia, who suffers from OCD, grows so much from the first book. She knows that her home is with Bran. When they are together she is calm. He helps her through her compulsive ways and puts otherwise complicated actions into perspective.

Who eventually becomes the giver and who becomes the taker of their relationship? The answer may surprise you.

A fantastic sequel in a compelling series, Sideswiped delves deeper into Bran and Talia's already complicated lives with heart-wrenching consequences :)

-CBx

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You can reach Lia Riley here:

Web

Goodreads

Review: Best Kind of Broken (Finding Fate #1) by Chelsea Fine

Best Kind of Broken (Finding Fate #1) by Chelsea Fine

Published by: Forever/Grand Central

Published on: March 4th 2014

My Rating: 5 out of 5

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Synopsis

Pixie and Levi haven't spoken in nearly a year when they find themselves working―and living―at the same inn in the middle of nowhere. Once upon a time, they were childhood friends. But that was before everything went to hell. And now things are... awkward.

All they want to do is avoid each other, and their past, for as long as possible. But now that they're forced to share a bathroom, and therefore a shower, keeping their distance from one another becomes less difficult than keeping their hands off each other. Welcome to the hallway of awkward tension and sexual frustration, folks. Get comfy. It’s going to be a long summer..

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Review:

Well, I must be the only blogger in the world who hasn't read Chelsea Fine's YA Archers of Avalon series. She's made a great move in crossing over genres, and also is a super-nice person if you follow her on social media. So I read this synopsis and thought, hmm, not sure, sounds a bit samey...

To cut it straight to the bone, Chelsea is now my favourite NA writer after reading this book (and I have read the #2 as well) her gift of writing is a treasure. All the while I was reading about the terrible accident involving Pixie and Levi, my thoughts kept flashing back to the wholesome nurturing environment of Willow Inn and actually being glad the characters lived in such a place to heal their wounds, amidst lavender fields behind and hard to define oddities such as Angelo the barman and Haley on the front desk, and mostly Ellen who owns the Inn.

Both Pixie and Levi are hurt, holding onto guilt, feeling alone and battling with getting through each day. They were both involved in a terrible car accident along with Levi's now dead sister, Charity. Charity was Pixie's best friend. The fact that Pixie and Levi now live next door in the run down East Wing of Willow Inn is like luck kicking them in the ass.

As Pixie and Levi get through the summer they have more than a few hurdles to cross, the main one would be just talking to one another. Pixie's mother is a bitch from hell. Levi's parents separated and moved away from the area after the accident because they weren't able to deal. Many mistakes were made and the hardest part is to forgive and carry on with life. Gradually as other people help bring Pixie and Levi together and events happen throughout their weeks, sparks fly as they push and pull at the other's defenses.

Overall, the characters are all so well written, the pace is even and Fine adds just the right amount of tension or sorrow where necessary. Levi is extremely gorgeous and Pixie is the perfect amount of cuteness. And as for Willow Inn, Yeah, I want to live there!!

Definitely worth picking this up and following the series.:)

-CBx

You can reach Chelsea Fine here:

Web

Goodreads

Review: Faster We Burn (Fall and Rise #2) by Chelsea M. Cameron

Faster We Burn (Fall and Rise #2) by Chelsea M. Cameron

Published by: DRC Publishing

Published on: April 20th 2013

My Rating: 4 out of 5

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Read my Deeper We Fall (Fall and Rise#1) review here

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Synopsis

Katie Hallman is done with douchebags. Done with guys who treat her like crap and leave her broken. But then Stryker Grant is there anyway. With his numerous piercings and bleached hair, he’s the polar opposite of all of her past relationships, which makes him the perfect candidate.

At first, Katie just sees him as a physical escape from her previous rocky relationship, and Stryker doesn’t seem to mind just being a distraction from Katie’s problems. But soon he’s getting under her skin, peeling back layers she’d rather keep covered. She tries to make it clear that she doesn’t want a relationship, but keeps breaking her own rules.

Then a tragedy sends Katie into the only arms who are there to catch her, and she’ll realize that she needs him more than she ever thought possible. But is she ready to let herself trust another guy with her already-battered heart? Or will she push him away to protect herself from getting hurt again?

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Review:

If you've read Deeper We Fall then you'll be familiar with the quirky friends who have now come together as a supportive group. Initially when I read the first book I was underwhelmed. And Katie and Stryker's story wasn't one I was that interested in. Mainly because I didn't like Katie, a girl who loves the colour pink. she wears it, she accessorises with it, she sleeps in it. Urgh, how awful, and a little childish.

Stryker was the a stand out character that I wanted to learn more about. But this sequel surprised me. Katie's story isn't one that's new. But Cameron writes her so well that she actually made me inspired by the end. This is a girl who really doesn't have one clue of who she is. She stereotypes, hangs with a group of 'yes' friends, and has the worst taste in men. And when she's hurt or angry she likes sex. With Stryker. Hmm.

The story kicks off at a key point during the first book but we hear Katie's version of events when Zack Parker, ex boyfriend and closet psycho beats the crap out of her. Towards the first third part of the book we're on to new ground. Katie and Stryker have this 'friends with benefits' thing going although they claim that they aren't really friends at all. There's a whole tank of denial here on both sides. Gradually they wear each other down and call off everything and try to get on with life without each other..

Then Katie's dad dies. She takes the call from her sister at the exact time that Stryker pops round for a visit. She heartbroken, lost, her mum is so sad, and Katie only has her sister and Stryker for support.

A significant event such as Katie's puts fresh eyes of clarity onto a situation you previously would have avoided. What dawns from her fathers untimely passing is Katie's will to find out who she really is, and what makes her tick. With a new group of friends who pull out all of the stops for her, Katie gains so much courage in defeating her small, little, weighing-your-shoulders-down demons.

This is a tale of growth. Of change. Of being in uncomfortable situations and coming out on top. Stryker may be tatted and pierced and looks like he came out of prison (or so Katie's mum thinks) but he has a soft heart of mush. He's human, he makes drastic mistakes in the name of love. But ultimately both Katie and Stryker find an even balance between losing and finding themselves and each other. I found this one more touching, thought provoking and nerve-twitchingly romantic.

Definitely worth picking this up and following the series.:)

-CBx

You can reach Chelsea M. Cameron here:

Web

Goodreads

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:

Web

Goodreads

Arc Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Rating: 5 out of 5

Published: September 11th 2014 by Bloomsbury  

Synopsis:

Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak―but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life―and her future―forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

The bestselling series that has captured readers all over the world reaches new heights in this sequel to the New York Times best-selling Crown of Midnight. Packed with heart-pounding action, fierce new characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this third book will enthrall readers from start to finish

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Review:

Read my review of Crown of Midnight here. 

Everything you know, or you think you know about the Throne of Glass series will be turned on its head.

Celaena is back in the third saga, but she isn't back in the finest sense. She must go back to the begin and unlearn all she's learned about herself, her present and her future. And who will be in her future.

The story starts and everyone is bitter. Chaol sent Celaena away. Dorian's angry. We learn of Rowan and what he might be as he spies on Celaena and Celaena herself is doing her usual. Getting into fight, stealing, trying to stay alive whilst spying on the crown prince of Wendlyn...

Rowan leads Celaena on her quest, but Celaena becomes undone as she visits Queen Maeve in Wendlyn. Maeve wants her to become Queen but to achieve her goal Celaena must become Aelin Galathynius. The girl she once was. Through many throw-backs we learn of her childhood, of how she escaped her parents murder and learn more about her cousin Aedion Ashryver. The king's formidable General.

New characters are also introduced. Emrys and Luca are stand-outs. Bringing up the story behind the wyverns we get to know Manon Blackbeak. Again, another character who, similarly, is not happy with her lot in life and plots to overthrow the witches. Throughout Heir, interspersed at regular intervals we learn how the king is planning to use the witches and wyverns as his main plan of attack. However reading about Manon's history and getting an idea of what she see's in the future we know one of them will be disappointed with that outcome.

The majority of the book centres on Aelin and Prince Rowan Whitethorn. An enormous character to bring into the story which is already bulging with big characters. At first we think he's a big bully but it soon turns out that his heart is as big as anyone's, given the right motive to release it. Aelin and Rowan begin a brutal partnership, with Rowan as her trainer, and soon enough there are figments of camaraderie happening and a hope that Rowan will be the one to bring out the goodness in Aelin/Celaena.

As for Chaol, well, he turns his back on his best friend, Dorian, and initially the future isn't bright for him. He decides he's more fit to hiding in shadows but forms an unusual alliance with Aedion. After Crown I had high hopes for Chaol and Celaena but we quickly learn she's outgrown him. He does however redeem himself numerous times throughout the story and where once he looked like his path was ever darker, a stream of light crosses him near the end.

The lands as we know them are all build more solid with Heir of Fire. We can actually feel the scope of what Aelin is wanting to achieve. Can she become the Queen that Maeve thinks she could be? But we also get a new glimpse of the dark world the King would turn the lands to, and how he's been able to hold on to magic while others have had it taken away.

Throughout Heir Aelin has exposed herself in the most daunting of ways. She's opened up and has dropped the tough girl facade she been holding on to these last ten years. Finally near the end, you find yourself rooting for her, as she overcomes Maeve, the Valg prince's, and with unlikely fr-enemies that have joined the fold you have to remember to breathe, and hope she'll win in the end. If only for her sanity....

CBx

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Sarah J. Maas is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series, as well as a USA Today and international bestselling author. Sarah wrote the first incarnation of the Throne of Glass series when she was just sixteen, and it has now sold in thirty-five languages. A New York native, Sarah currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and dog.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hamilton College in 2008 with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Religious Studies.

You can find Sarah J. Maas here:

Web 

  Goodreads

Quickie Review: Rhett by J.S. Cooper

 Rhett by J.S. Cooper

Published: 27th June 2014

Rating: 2 out of 5

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Synopsis:

I’m Rhett.

I’m cocky because I can be. I've got it all: the looks, the money, the endurance. I’m the guy that every girl wants to be with, yet none of them have ever been able to tie me down.

I don’t do love. I don’t do relationships. And I sure as hell will never do marriage.

I’m all about the fast life and everything that entails. There’s a different woman in my bed every week. My friends are jealous of me. My enemies envy me. Everyone wants my life. And everything in my life is absolutely perfect.

Until the day she told me she was moving away. She’s my best friend. She was my first kiss in grade school. We share everything with each other. We never dated because I don’t love her. I don’t care that she’s moving. I don’t care that she’s moving for a guy. I don’t care because I don’t love her. I don’t do love.

I’m Rhett and I don’t let anything get me down. Then one night changed everything and everything I thought I knew was called into question.

All of a sudden, being Rhett didn't mean so much anymore.

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Review:

I thought this would be better. I thought this would be about a cocky guy who changed his ways because he finally realised what love was. Well, he does but it happens so quickly I'm not sure it's real.

Instead the whole book came over as incredibly shallow. Not sexy at all and very crude in places. Especially with how Rhett and his friend Tomas regard women. And yes, some of the women were blatantly open regarding sex but that just made the story even more vulgar.

This book has no plot unless you count a girl who wants to have sex with his best friend from childhood. There is very little with regard to back story and the small parts where we learn about Rhett's family are all on about 2 pages with nothing to make you actually feel any different for him.

Apart from a lot of sex, which is pretty generic, nothing spectacular I was actually quite bored reading it. A shame really because I did enjoy Cooper's other books. I can't help thinking this one was written for the paycheck.

- CBx

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You can reach J.S. Cooper here:

Web

Goodreads