Review of Rival (Fall Away #2)

Rival (Fall Away #2)

by Penelope Douglas

Reviewed by Shannon

I have finally gotten to the place where I love Madoc. In Bully I had a really hard time with his character. He was very much the "Rover Dill", sidekick to the bully that you felt couldn't think for himself. Rival has opened my eyes and I see Madoc in a whole new light. The cocky best friend of Jared is tortured and you feel something real for him. The addition to Fallon in this book was refreshing. May be it's due to a lot of the annoying heroines I've seen lately in books, but Fallon was really likeable!! There is nothing cooler than a chick on a revenge mission. I give this one 4 Stars. I love Penelope's books and the Fall Away series is holding strong as being one of my favorite series. I am on pins and needles to see how Jax and K.C.'s story turns out.

Madoc is living his normal no care life. School is out and he is ready to start an amazing summer with his best friends before heading off to college. When his dad informs him that his step sister is in town and it would be best to stay away until she's gone, Madoc feels the old wound he thought had long since healed tear open. Fallon was his polar opposite. When Madoc's dad married her gold digging mom it was easy to hate her. What these two didn't expect was their rivalry as the anti step siblings would turn into something that neither of them would ever heal from. Two years have passed since they have seen each other and there is revenge to be had on both sides. When lies and secrets come out this rivalry will test the scales between love and hate

Review of You Loved Me At My Darkest (You Loved Me #1)

You Loved Me At My Darkest (You Loved Me #1)

by Evie Harper

Reviewed by Shannon

I was given the honor of being gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I am at a loss for words on how much this story moved me. There was so much emotion, courage and heart ache through this entire story. I can't remember the last time a book touched me quite like this one did. Easiest 5 Billion Stars I can give. I will be singing the praises of this authors work for a long time and look forward to what she releases in the future. I don't know what they put in the water there I Australia but you Aussie authors are really doing it for me lately!!! Thank you so much for this touching story.

Lily and her younger sister Sasha are traveling for the first time leaving Australia. When their parents both die in a car crash they decide this trip will be their healing process. Starting in New York city the girls have the times of their lives. Seeing all the sights and doing all things tourists do. On their final night in New York tragedy strikes when these unsuspecting sisters are kidnapped and taken to another country. They don't know where they are or what will happen to them but Lily is determined to get her and her younger sister out of there. Finding that they've been captured in a sex traffic operation they know their little time or options for escape. When Lily and Sasha are separated at the compound Lily finds that she is now grouped with "the collection". The collection are the elite girls that their captor holds in highest value for the money he gets for their services. When Lily learns Sasha will be sold to the highest bidder she has to turn off all emotions to figure a way to save her sister.

Through all of this Lily has been guarded by Jake. She wants to hate Jake for what he allowing but there is something tortured behind his eyes that she can't place. At times he seems almost regretful and guilty for what is being done to her. With hope she can sway him to help her and Sasha escape she begins to form a bond with Jake. Jake has a plan and it has been in motion for many years. He has to see this plan through the fate of someone he loves is riding on him being focused and not making any missteps. When Lily becomes his duty Jake can't keep that motivation. All of his being is begging him to reach out and save this poor girl. Will he risk being found out for the feelings that are forming for this poor innocent girl or can he turn off that pull and move forward as planned.

Review of Reasonable Doubt: Volume 3 (Reasonable Doubt #3)

Reasonable Doubt: Volume 3 (Reasonable Doubt #3)

by Whitney G.

Reviewed by Shannon

Loved it... Yep just really loved it!!! Andrew Hamilton's unapologetically callous and egotistical attitude is rocking hard core again and you just have to love him. This Volume really digs into Andrew and his past in New York. You get the glimpse at the events that put into perspective why he is the way he is. I love that we see also get the softer side of Andrew as well.  The chemistry between these two since Volume 1 is insane and Volume 3 was the perfect closure to this series. 5 Stars for me.. If you haven't started this series then get on that. It's so yummy!....

When Volume 2 closed out we were left with Andrew once again kicking Aubrey to the curb. Andrew's one night, no emotions involved rule had long since been broken with Aubrey. When questions about his past and the thought that Aubrey was falling in love with him surfaced he had to make a clean break. Volume 3 Aubrey is still working for Andrew's firm as an intern and putting on a brave face seeing him everyday. When she emotionally can't take his callous "I never cared attitude", she decides it's time to run. Getting a chance to move to New York for ballet, Aubrey is starting over and doing what she's always dreamed. Aubrey hates Andrew for what he did but nothing can shake that he is always on her mind. Andrew is struggling to move back into his one night rule. Trying to meet new distractions always brings Aubrey's face to the front of his mind. When the past he's been hiding from brings him back to New York, Andrew decides that may be it's time to let someone in.

ARC Review of Fragment

Fragment

by Ellie Wade

Reviewed by Shannon Deatherage

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I have to say I almost gave up on this book in chapter 3. It started out a tad slow for me, but I am really glad I hung in there because this is such a great story. Cam and Deacon are so amazing together. Deacon is perfection!! I give this one 4 Stars. Grab this new release up and enjoy.

Campbell Stevens has her future figured out. She is bound and determined to make something out of her life and ensure that she turns out nothing like her mother. When something horrific is done to Cam during her senior spring break trip the future she envisioned disappears. Seven years later Cam is a shell of the girl she thought she'd be and she's given up on any hope of a happily ever after. The walls she's built up around her emotions and heart keep her safe from feeling the pain and fear. When Deacon Montgomery comes into her life Campbell feels something different and this loveable, sweet firefighter may be just what Cam needs to start living again.

Review of Who I'm Becoming (FireNine #4)

Who I'm Becoming (FireNine #4)

by Shanora Williams

Reviewed by Shannon Deatherage

DANG IT!! Well.... I had already drafted my awesome review in my head prior to even starting this book because I was sure that it would be a 5 star. I am sorry to say I can't do that now. I have been super pumped for this one to come out from day one of starting the FireNine series. I LOVE Montana... he has been my favorite of the FireNine guys, so I'm really sad that I have to say anything negative about this. Shanora..... please don't take offense because you, as an author, I absolutely love. I know that is stupid to say because this is your work and anything negative is offensive, but please hear me out and help me understand where I missed on this one. I love the series as a whole and I will read whatever Shanora write no question about it. All in all I will give this a 3 Star for the simple fact that is has a lot of Montana (Love HIM) and the rest of our FireNine guys, but I missed something in the chemistry between Montana and Lauren that stopped me from loving this.

My main hang up with this one was Lauren, nothing more and nothing less. The story was good and turning our play boy into a romantic softy was perfect. I didn't get the attraction between Montana and Lauren. I definitely did not get her AT ALL. There were times when I was thinking MONTANA RUN!!!! RUNN!!!!! RUNNNNN!!!!! Does she have borderline personality disorder? Is she bi-polar? In my head I had someone fierce, independent and commanding getting Montana to settle down or may be a female version of himself that finally made him want the "real" thing. Lauren was not what I envisioned for him. She is moody, immature and at times really annoying. The point in the story when Montana walked out of the conversation with his parents and she rushes out and demands he go hear them out. I was floored... I mean I literally said... I must have read that wrong, that had to be Eliza who said that. Nope it was his girlfriend of 5 minutes telling him he needs to go make up with his "less than present in his life" parents. Um What???? I was thinking, the nerve of this girl. I think by this point anything she did would have bothered me, but I would love someone to give me a different perspective. Share your thoughts with me because I really want to love this one, but I just couldn't get there.

ARC Review of Shimmer

Shimmer

by Elena Dillon

Reviewed by Shannon

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is a YA contemporary romance and it's the second in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed this one!! Such a great find and I can't say enough about the plot line in this series. I loved the mystery around why Chandler and Logan are running and who from plus the added bonus of seeing the Rourke family. Great read and I give it 4 Stars. I look forward to where this series goes and would love to see the next one touch on Lily and Finn.

"Chandler" has gone by so many names it's hard to remember who she really is. The only thing she knows for sure is she will never be able to let her guard down. Chandler and her computer genius dad "Logan" have been on the run for years since her mother's murder. They are constantly moving and changing identities to keep her safe from the monster that haunts her dreams. When this move lands them in Lafayette Louisiana, Chandler goes to the local gymnastic gym to join tumbling classes. When the coach sees her talent and begs Chandler to join their competitive cheer squad everything inside Chandler is screaming YES. Chandler desperately wants to compete again but making promises and friendships is risky when you may have to disappear at anytime. Lies tend to catch up with her and when she makes a decision to join the squad she will have to decide what is more important, keeping her secrets or risking it all to be a normal teenaged girl.

Review of Shattered (Extreme Risk #2)

Shattered (Extreme Risk #2)

by Tracy Wolff

Reviewed by Shannon

I liked Z in Shredded Extreme Risk 1 but I did not like the heroine or her side of the story. I had only given Shredded Extreme Risk 1 a 3 star review simply for the fact that I couldn't stand Ophelia. So I was a little reluctant on getting book 2 because I was worried I'd have another book that I skimmed through all of the heroine POV chapters like I did with book 1. I loved the whole premise of the adrenaline junky extreme snowboarder bad boys and I loved Z, Ash and Luc so that side of the book was a definite positive. I am happy to say that Tracy Wolff stepped it up with our extreme risk love interest in book 2 and Tansy is way more likeable and not at all annoying like Ophelia was. I'm pretty sure that Ash blew Z out of the water in the hero side as well!! Ash is so loveable and broken you just want to hug him and make it all better. 4 stars for this one. Such a great story of healing after tragedy.

The end of Book 1 Ash gets the shock of a lifetime at the X games when he learns his parents and younger brother who just left the games were in a horrific car crash. Ash's parents did not make it and his younger brother is left paralyzed. The one thing that used to be Ash's life now has a dark cloud over it. Book 2 starts off several months later and we find that a lot has changed for Ash. The once driven organizer of their snowboarding group has stopped boarding. He is now working at the lodge shop and taking care of this paralyzed brother. New responsibilities and guilt that haunts him have changed Ash.

When Tansy walks into the pro shop Ash is assuming it's another snowbunny here to get her 15 minutes with Ash Lewis. When Tansy shockingly informs him that she is with the Make a Wish Foundation and a terminal boy's only request is to meet and snowboard with Ash Lewis. Ash instantly declines saying he has given up the sport. Ash has responsibilities and the main being a teenaged boy who Ash thinks is struggling to cope with being paralyzed. There is something about this Tansy that could change the plans he has set for his now changed life.  

Tansy has been sick most of her life. In and out of hospitals, chemo and surgeries with a cancer that has a very slim survival rate. Miraculously Tansy is 6 weeks in remission and has a new outlook on life. She is excited with her position at Make a Wish and can't believe her luck that her first assignment is to get Ash Lewis to snowboard with a sick boy that idolizes him. Tansy can't help the pull she has to Ash and her disappointment when he tells her he can't meet this boy. Tansy is determined to make this wish come true and Ash Lewis is exactly what Tansy needs to start living.

ARC Review of Our Lives Entwined (Entwined #2)

Our Lives Entwined (Entwined #2)

by Lilliana Anderson

Reviewed by Shannon

I was gifted a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. I definitely flipped back and forth on this one. At times I loved it and others I had a hard time dealing with the obnoxiousness that was Natalie. I honestly think this is why I love Lilliana's books so much. She made me feel every emotion while reading this book, and just when I think I'm going to hate it I flip and love it. With Our Hearts Entwined there were a lot of emotions, crazy twists and sheer hatred at the end finding out what was being done to Mia. I think I kept a lot of that with me when I moved to book 2. Going from being team Mia and having unbridled hatred for Natalie is hard to shake. So I'll be honest, it took me a minute and I really hated being in her head at beginning. Ok.. So here's where the author's genius kicks in. Somewhere between attempting the most selfish act imaginable and being a delusional jealous snot I began to feel sorry for Natalie. WHAT??? How did that happen? I have no idea. So all in all I have to give it to my girl and give Our Lives Entwined a 3.5 Star review. So if you enjoy a read that makes you feel a little bi-polar then this one is your read and I promise by the epilogue you will have a special place in your heart for all of these characters.

A year has passed since Mia found out she had a twin sister who was not only drugging her but then taking over her life and getting cozy with her long time boyfriend, Eric. After the heartbreak of Eric being with her twin Mia found her perfect soul mate in Cayd. Tragedy pulls Mia, Cayd and Eric to Sidney to be there for a weak and mentally unstable Natalie. From here I really can't say much more without giving away major plot details. So........ I will encourage you to push through when you want to throw your Kindle because of Natalie and read on. Our Lives Entwined is truly drama filled emotional roller coaster. I really enjoyed and I think you will too.

Review of Twisted (Blood & Roses #5)

Twisted (Blood & Roses #5)

by Callie Hart

I was gifted a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. I am still in complete shock. Every installment of this series just goes a little deeper down the rabbit hole and I can't get enough of it. The title to book 5 is so fitting because there are twists at every turn. I honestly don't know how everything will be cleared up in the next installment because my head is spinning with all the side stories that somehow all link together. 5 huge stars for this must read. I said it before and I'll say it again, if you haven't started Callie's Blood & Roses series what are you waiting for? Zeth and Sloane's story is epic and you will not be disappointed.

Book 5 starts right where we left off in book 4. Zeth, Sloan, Michael and Lacey are holed up in the warehouse while Zeth healing from book 4's craziness. Things with Lacey get super interesting as we get a picture of some of the terrible things that she went through growing up in foster care. Just when we think she's opening up to Sloane a twist brings someone no one trusts into the mix. More twists and turns with Rebel and the truth to what he's really doing with the human trafficking. Julio's crew has a twists and tricks up their sleeves that will take everyone together to overcome. I can't even go into anymore than that without giving major plot details. I'll leave you with just a taste of what to expect and that is TWISTED will leave you twisting in your favorite reading chair. This one releases August 19th so if you haven't started the series get going so you're ready to 1-click this one release day!! Enjoy!

~Shannon

Review of Opposition (Lux #5)

Opposition (Lux #5)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Reviewed by Shannon

I love Jennifer Armentrout and there isn't anything of hers that I will not read and ultimately love. I have been in love with this series from the beginning and it's bitter sweet to see it come to an end. I really enjoyed it and encourage everyone who hasn't read the Lux series to get on board. Daemon is reason enough!! No shock an easy 5 stars..

The ending of Origin we were all left stunned at the events that occurred to escape the Daedalus. Finally freed after months of torture and tests we had hope of some happiness for Daemon and Katy. When Luxen start falling from the sky and turn Daemon, Dee and Dawson into robots all Katy, Beth and the Origin can do is watch. Opposition starts right were we left off. Katy is desperate to find them and there is no contact for days from any of the Luxen. Strange things are starting to happen from this invasion and with Beth in her weakened state Katy and Archer set out to get some supplies. When they witness Luxen assimilating humans before their very eyes they realize these new Luxen are nothing like the ones they know and love. Desperate to find Daemon, Katy finds herself in the very house where all the Luxen are plotting their hostile takeover. Katy is shocked that her friends may no longer be the people she thought they were. Receiving some unlikely help from the Arum (Hunter YAY!!) to save their friends and the world from the Luxen brings this series to it's shocking end. Hang on and grab a tissue as we say goodbye to this amazing series.

Review of Not Enough (Parker Siblings #1)

Not Enough (Parker Siblings #1)

by Leigh Ann Lunsford

Reviewed by Shannon

Thanks Leigh Ann for gifting me this amazing series. Not Enough is the first book in the Parker Siblings series and it's super good. This family is crazy, funny and they are there for one another. This is how families should  be. There are always struggles in everyone's lives, but having a support system of family more importantly siblings is crucial (sorry only children). Leigh Ann has brought that to life with this family. 4 Stars for book 1 in the Parker Siblings Series.

This book focuses mainly on the middle child, Brielle. At a young age Brielle was exposed to something horrific that no child should ever go through. Having parents who are more focused on climbing the political and social ladder than dealing with their 4 young children, Brielle and her 3 siblings move from Florida to Tennessee to live with their grandparents. After years of living happily with the love they never knew from their parents, their grandparents both pass suddenly. Brielle and her older sister Addison have the difficult task of now raising their two teenaged siblings. Brielle's emotional struggles all stem from the incident that pulled them out of their parents care. Losing the 2 people that showed her how to love again Brielle is set on the fact that she will never be enough for someone to ever love. When Colton moves into town and starts working at the gym the Parker's own the walls Brielle has built around her heart will come crashing down.