Imperfectly Perfect (A Series of Imperfections, #1)

Imperfectly Perfect (A Series of Imperfections, #1)
by A.E. Woodward


4 Star Read for this one. This is a very good depiction on how perfection is in the eye of the beholder. I really enjoyed this and will definitely be looking for more from A.E. Woodward. 


"What is perfection? Does it even exist? Is it attainable?" "Life isn't about what is perfect for everybody else; it's about what is perfect for you" ~Prologue Quotes
Those simple statements from the prologue gave me chills. This story is told mostly from Emma's POV. Emma is not a "normal" girl. She doesn't have girl friends. She hasn't since she was 9 years old, but she's always had Shane and Tyler. As time goes on you find that over the years they've stuck together. Going to the same schools, living together (along with Rob whom they meet at NYU), celebrating together, and being there for one another. Emma's Mom has always pushed for Emma to be something she's not; to be the girl who looks for a husband, settles down and has babies. Emma's focus has always been on her career and her 3 soul mates / best friends. It's not a conventional situation for most 30 something adults to all continue to co-habitat after graduation and starting your adult career life. In this story it works. Seemingly happy with her life Emma goes back home to Maine and finds her younger married sister is now pregnant. Shockingly this brings feelings Emma never knew she had about where her life is going. From there you follow Emma's journey to find perfection in her life. Where does that leave her 3 best friends if Emma is looking to move on with relationships and motherhood? Do you need to move on to find perfection or has it been right in front of you all along? Really good read worth picking up


~Shannon

Review of "Heart-Shaped Box" - Joe Hill

"Heart-Shaped Box" - Joe Hill

4 stars – One of the worst kept secrets in horror fiction is the true identity of Joe Hill. If you don’t already know, and don’t want to know, stop reading now. Drumroll please!!! Joe H...ill is the son of one of the bestselling authors of all time; Stephen King. Needless to say, Joe has a lot to live up to… and I think he is doing just fine.

“Heart-Shaped Box” is Hill’s debut novel and what a debut it is. I couldn’t put this one down. Judas Coyne is an aging 54 year old “shock” rock star (emphasis on the shock) with enough fame to keep the young hot goth chicks still vying for his attention. Not only does he like to keep young naïve 20 year old girls around the house but he also has an ever growing collection of morbid artifacts. These include a hangman’s noose, a skull from the 18th century and sketches from John Wayne Gacy himself. When his assistant notifies him of a ghost for sale on the internet he feels drawn to adding it to the collection. A few days later, via UPS, he receives a heart-shaped box in the mail which contains the haunted suit of a dead man. And this dead man has a score to settle. Unknowingly, Judas had invited into his home the dead stepfather, Craddock McDermott, of his now deceased young ex-lover. And Craddock blames Judas for her death.

With twists you don’t see coming, a vengeful ghost chasing a rock star cross country and rock n’ roll pop culture references galore this is a must read for any horror/rock fan.

~Laura

Review of "Dust" (Silo, #3) - Hugh Howey

5 Stars – “Dust” is the third, and final, installment in the Silo series (insert hysterical crying here) and takes place in a very bleak and dim distant future. Thousands of people live in underground silo’s ...that are hundreds of levels deep. Everyone has their job to do and no one questions anything. Most especially, never question how your ancestors ended up in the silo and why you can’t ever leave. If you do, don’t be surprised when you are sent outside for a “cleaning” and die in the poisonous air. In other words, this world is the very definition of dystopia.

While the first novel “Wool” introduces us to the main characters and the philosophy of the silos, and book two “Shift” travels back in time and explains how the silo’s came to be, this book brings us to the end of the story. Prepare to fall in love with the characters you meet and to become completely intertwined with their struggles and triumphs. While some authors fail to end their series with a satisfying conclusion Howey seems to have mastered the art.

None of the books in the Silo series have let me down, this one included. After completing this series I am more than excited to start on my next post-apocalyptic adventure with Howey; one of the best new sci-fi writers out there.


~Laura

Review of "Red Hill" - Jamie McGuire

5 Stars – I know what most of you are saying to yourself right now: “Really? Aren’t there enough zombie books/movies/tv shows out?” Remember what your momma always told you; never judge a book by its cover.

Though I am a devoted junkie of “The Walking Dead” I have still never labeled myself a “zombie fan”. Most of the time I find it pretty corny or way to over the top gory. On the other end of the spectrum I found “World War Z” to be downright boring… but that’s for a different review. This book is none of those things. It starts off with the classic mysterious “outbreak” leading up to an apocalyptic type setting but the writing is what sets it apart. From what I understand, before this novel, McGuire had never ventured outside of romance novels. After reading this I hope she continues pushing her boundaries. From page one I was hooked.

“Red Hill” has romance, horror, suspense and a hodgepodge of characters that all seek refuge from the undead in the same remote house, Red Hill.'


~Laura

Review of Henry (The Beck Brothers #1)

Henry (The Beck Brothers #1)

by Andria Large

Henry was just a 3 Star Read for me. Although it was a easy feel good read. It came up a little short for me and was kind of anticlimactic. Several times it seemed to almost get to that climax and just kind of fell short. I still really enjoyed it and if your looking for a light easy breezy read this is a good one to grab. If you do decide to try this one out keep reading for the Beck Brothers Book 2 teaser. Sebastian's story starts off pretty good.

~Shannon

Review of Unchosen (Chosen #2)

Unchosen (Chosen #2)

by Alisa Mullen

This one lost a little something for me. I would still rate it a 3.5 Star read but something was missing from book 1 to book 2. I think Lizzy became a little less likeable in this one. I can't quite put my finger on it. May be it was the lack of Teagan that dropped this down a half star for me. Regardless it was still good and I would still recommend it.

This read starts off where Unsettled left off. Lizzy is trying to move forward after Teagan and begins her life as a single mother. Lizzy's family relationships were very strained in book 1. This book the relationships heal and Lizzy relies heavily on her parents and brother for support. Working full time and being a mom has it's strains and a chance meeting during a lunch hour brings Nick into Lizzy's life. Lizzy and Nick become very close friends and he quickly becomes someone she needs in her life. There always seems to be something holding Lizzy back from moving forward with Nick. Her inability to let go of a relationship that was never really more than a fling being the main problem. Lizzy decides to move forward she needs to face the past and heads to Ireland with baby Niall. This is where it kind of loses me. The visit to Ireland does not pan out how I expected and tragedy draws Lizzy right back home. With emotions high Lizzy needs Nick more than ever. As things wrap in book 2 it's looking like all is well but the dreaded Epilogue cliffy strikes again.

I will for sure be reading book 3. Grab this one and let me know what you think!!

~Shannon

Review of Unsettled (Chosen #1)

Review of Unsettled (Chosen #1)

by Alisa Mullen

This was a good 4 star read for me. I really enjoyed the character development and plot. Lizzy the heroine was very likeable and while Teagan isn't exactly "honest" all the time I really liked him as well. Some of the sub characters I could have done without but all in all this book worked for me.

This starts off with Lizzy moving back to her home town of Boston after several years in Portland. While out with her brothers girlfriend Lizzy meets Teagan and all of his Irish "mates". Knowing that Teagan is only in the country for the summer Lizzy takes the risk of starting a relationship with him. Things move pretty fast and the easy breezy fling turns complicated. Teagan hasn't been too forthcoming on where their relationship stands with Lizzy, and secrets will change Lizzy opinion of her new Irish friends. A shocking change of events will make or break things between them. Lizzy has a lot of things to overcome which leads into the Epilogue for book 2.

Grab this read up and let me know what you think of it!

~Shannon