WWW Wednesday #39 | January 30, 2019


WWW Wednesdays is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.
Just answer three questions and share what you're reading.


Has January flown by or what? I can't believe it's already time to do a January wrap-up. Hope everyone had a fantastic month of great reads!


WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
On Thin Ice (Juniper Falls #3) - Julie Cross
This has been such an enjoyable companion series and I'm happy to be starting this one. I really wish this series got more attention.

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?
Verity - Colleen Hoover
I finished this last night and OMG my head is still reeling. That was some kind of mind-bending crazy. Definitely dark, definitely unlike anything Colleen has done before. A couple times I had to stop reading because I was so creeped out. I don't even know what I'll be able to say in a review. LOL

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?
    
Oh my goodness, I have no idea. I don't even know what I feel like reading right now so that leaves it wide open. A couple possibilities are: Fireworks by Sarina Bowen (which would bring me current with the True North series), Watching You by Lisa Jewell (in case I'm in the mood for a mystery/thriller, or maybe Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly if I'm feeling like a historical. What's up next for you?

What are you currently reading?
I wanna know! :)

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Recent TBR Additions

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 
The Ten Most Recent Additions to My TBR


   
This is #2 in The World of the Others series and # 7 in the overall Others series. While I miss the cast of characters from the original series, I'm still excited to see how Bishop continues the story.
I need to read Restore Me soon so I'll be ready when this one releases in April.
I've never read anything by Malpas and I'm intrigued to try this first book in her new series.

   
After the sheer perfection that was last year's The Kiss Quotient, I need more from Hoang!
Emma Scott never fails to break my heart while making me love the experience.

   
I adore Mia Sheridan but didn't get to this one last year. The survival story/second chance love story sounds right up my alley.
The last historical fiction novel I read from Amy Harmon was my #1 read of 2017, so I'm expecting great things from this one.

    
Fantasy just isn't something I often reach for, but this one caught my eye early on and all the reviews I've been seeing over the last week have me convinced I need to give this one a try.
I read the first two books (in what was supposed to have been a duet) last year and when I read that Winters was continuing the story I was thrilled. Still no firm release date but I am so ready.
Learning that JLA was writing a spin-off series of The Dark Elements had me all kinds of excited. That trilogy was loads of fun and I'm excited to return to that world. The wait for this one to release in June is going to be a killer.


Do you have any of these on your TBR?

Review: Moonlight Scandals by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Moonlight Scandals 
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication date: January 29, 2019
Series: de Vincent #3
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Source: AvonBooks and Edelweiss

GOODREADS  |  AMAZON











S Y N O P S I S

Even a ghost hunter like Rosie Herpin couldn’t have foreseen the fateful meeting between two mourners that has brought her so intimately close to the notorious and seductive Devlin de Vincent. Everyone in New Orleans knows he’s heir to a dark family curse that both frightens and enthralls. To the locals, Devlin is the devil. To Rosie, he’s a man who’s stoking her wildest fantasies. When a brutal attack on her friend is linked to the de Vincents, he becomes a mystery she may be risking her life to solve. 

Devlin knows what he wants from this sexy and adventurous woman. But what does Rosie want from him? It’s a question that becomes more pressing—and more dangerous—when he suspects her of prying into the shadows of his past. 

Now, the legends surrounding the de Vincents may not be myths at all. But if she’s to discover the truth, she must follow them straight into the arms of the man she can’t resist—the handsome devil himself.
M Y   T H O U G H T S

Fasten your seatbelts because the final installment in Armentrout’s de Vincent trilogy is one heck of a twisty ride. Filled with plot twists galore and jaw-dropping revelations, Moonlight Scandals is a mic drop ending to the series.

Enigmatic Devlin had been a big question mark for me since the start of the trilogy. Aloof, cold, enigmatic… it was impossible to get a read on the guy and I wasn’t even sure he was a good egg. This installment shines a light on the oldest de Vincent brother and we learn what goes on behind those blue-green eyes. Needless to say, there’s a lot more to Devlin de Vincent than meets the eye.

Rosie has long been fascinated by talk of the de Vincent curse and when an attack on her friend has her brushing elbows with Devlin, she’s eager to learn all she can. But Devlin stonewalls her at every turn even as their attraction to one another grows. Their relationship runs hot and cold – trading insults one minute and trading steamy hot kisses the next – and the more Rosie is drawn to Devlin, the more she questions the truth behind the secrets and scandals surrounding the de Vincent’s.

File this under the heading “it’s not you, it’s me”, but I’ve gotta say I wasn’t the biggest fan of the relationship between Devlin and Rosie. Individually they were great, and goodness knows their chemistry was off the charts, but I’ve never been a big fan of the hate-to-love trope and it’s in full effect here. Rosie and Dev spar and bicker and trade insults. There’s something there but both are wary of the other and trust is a big issue. Fans of the enemies-to-love/hate-to-love trope will probably squeal in delight over their back and forth barbs, but it left me feeling like they just didn’t belong together. But like I mentioned, this was totally a me thing.

Plot-wise Armentrout hit this one out of the park. I did guess one significant reveal midway through the second book (Moonlight Seduction) but that didn’t detract in the least because there were plenty more where that came from. Secrets were shared, backgrounds came to light, and the OMG moments just kept on coming. All the skeletons in the closet came tumbling out and left me reeling. I bow to Armentrout’s genius at delivering plot twists that blew my mind and had me yelling, “No way!” more than once. Well played, Jennifer, well played.

If you’ve already jumped into the world of the de Vincent’s, you’re going to love this explosive finale. And if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?

4/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

The Sunday Post #139


The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's a chance to share news - a post to recap the past week on your blog, 
showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is
coming up on your blog in the week ahead. You can find the info here:


We are finally getting a little dose of winter so I'm rejoicing while everyone else is complaining. *laughs then looks around guiltily*

Last night I went to my first hockey game. Verdict? Loved it! Confession time: my interest in going to a game only came about after reading Sarina Bowen's Him/Us duet and WAGs series. I adore those books (and those hockey playing guys) and it kind of sparked my interest. My city actually has a minor league hockey team so it was easy to indulge my curiosity. The Husband and I attended a game last night (it was Military Appreciation night, which was even better) and had a fantastic time. Color me excited when I saw a player (on the opposing team, unfortunately) with Wesley on his jersey. Those of you who have read the Him/Us duet will know exactly who Ryan Wesley is. :) And there was a Blake on our team! I was so over the moon I had to share with Sarina... and even she was pretty excited. LOL




Today is cold and rainy - perfect indoor weather. I've got chili in the slow cooker, cozy blankets, and a good book. What more could I need? :)

What's your weekend been like? Have you done anything fun?



WHAT I READ IN THE LAST WEEK:

     
Another winner from Katie McGarry. Totally enjoyed this one.

I cry at the same scene every single time


WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING: 

    
I haven't done much reading the last several days so I'm only 30 or so pages in... but so far, so good. 

WHAT I'M CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:

My re-listen of the series continues. Nash is probably my favorite of the series. I love his good heart.


PHYSICAL ARC FOR REVIEW:

    
Yesterday was an awesome mail day! I received a physical copy of Tracey Garvis Graves upcoming release, The Girl He Used to Know. Macmillan/St. Martin's Press was giving away 1,000 ARCs (so my odds weren't exactly bad LOL) and I was so excited to get home and see that package!

eARC FOR REVIEW: 

I was actually surprised (and thrilled) I was approved for this one! :)
    





How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share? 
I'd love to hear about it!

Review + Giveaway: Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

 

When it comes to contemporary YA, nobody does it like Katie McGarry. Katie has long been my favorite go-to YA author and the kind of YA contemporaries she writes is exactly what I like: gritty, heartfelt stories about young people dealing with situations that push them to make tough choices and decide who they are. ONLY A BREATH APART delivered an emotional punch and I highly recommend grabbing this one for yourself. Check out my thoughts below - and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Would you dare to defy destiny? Are our destinies written in stone? Do we become nothing more than the self-fulfilling prophesies of other people's opinions? Or can we dare to become who we believe we were born to be?

“A gorgeous, heartfelt journey of redemption and love” (Wendy Higgins), ONLY A BREATH APART is a young adult contemporary novel from critically acclaimed Katie McGarry. “Haunting, authentic, and ultimately hopeful” (Tammara Webber), order your copy of ONLY A BREATH APART now!
 
About ONLY A BREATH APART:


They say your destiny is carved in stone. But some destinies are meant to be broken.

The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year.

A fortuneteller tells Scarlett she's psychic, but what is real is Scarlett’s father’s controlling attitude and the dark secrets at home. She may be able to escape, but only if she can rely on the one boy who broke her heart.

Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings, but as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…

Amazon | Kobo | Google Play

B-A-M | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

   
 

Gritty and real, Only a Breath Apart is a story of hope conjured from pain, strength drawn from innocence, and love earned from self-respect. Beautiful, poignant, and fierce.” ―Kristen Simmons, critically acclaimed author of the Article 5 series

 
Once childhood friends who meant everything to one another, Jesse and Scarlett are now virtual strangers. Having no idea why Jesse cut her out of his life, Scarlett has carried on with friends who know nothing about her life beyond the school walls. At home her father rules with an iron fist and she lives in fear of the next time he will strike out at her mother.

“I’m filled with a sense of hope that maybe we can be a family again.
I wrap my arms around myself because while that hope is uplifting,
it is possibly the most terrifying emotion I have ever felt.”

Jesse’s mother believed the family was cursed and the only way to survive was to never leave their land. At 17, Jesse has suffered more than his fair share of loss and according to his grandmother’s will the ability to keep the family land may lie in the hands of others – a tribunal who will decide if he is responsible enough to manage it when he turns 18.

“If any guy, including me, gets in the way of your happiness, if he stands
in the way of you reaching your dreams, if he can’t understand that
harming someone is wrong, then walk away, Scarlett. It’s that simple.”

I fell a little in love with Jesse, with his bad reputation and heart of gold, and it was impossible not to ache for Scarlett as she dealt with the hell that was her homelife. These two were the perfect example of being stronger together than apart. As Jesse and Scarlett reconciled and friendship developed into love, they were both forced to face difficult decisions about their futures. Scarlett in particular had amazing growth and showed incredible bravery while being conflicted over her feelings for her father (Could she still love him when she hated him for his actions? Was it wrong to still love him?). Jesse struggled to come to terms with his misplaced feelings of guilt and responsibility for his mother’s death while also forging a new path of his own, without the chains of the past holding him back and limiting his options.

“Why would I want to be anyone else 
when I get to be the guy who holds you?”

McGarry has an incredible gift with developing strong characters who are complex and flawed, never cookie cutter. I felt empathy for Scarlett’s father even as I railed at his despicable behavior. I warmed to Jessie’s uncle Marshall who became a stalwart support for both Jesse and Scarlett. And my heart was touched by the kindly Pastor Hughes and made me wish every victim had someone as gentle and unwavering on their side.

Katie McGarry has delivered a powerful and emotional tale of strength, hope, resilience and redemption. She never fails to pull me into every story, engage my emotions, make me care – and this was no exception. Fans of contemporary YA are sure to love Only a Breath Apart.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Add it to your Goodreads today!

   
 


About Katie McGarry: Katie is the author of the PUSHING THE LIMITS series, THUNDER ROAD series, SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME, and the upcoming YA novel, ONLY A BREATH APART. Her novels have received starred reviews, critical acclaim and have won multiple awards including being a multiple Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for YA Fiction, multiple RT Magazine's Reviewer's Choice Award Finalist for Best YA Fiction, including a win in the category, and she was a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick.      

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumbler | Instagram

WWW Wednesday #38 | January 23, 2019


WWW Wednesdays is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.
Just answer three questions and share what you're reading.



WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
Mouth to Mouth - Tessa Bailey
I just started this one and I'm a little on the fence about it so far. The guy's seems kind of like a jerk and the girl is too naive for words. We'll see how it goes.

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?
Only a Breath Apart - Katie McGarry
Finished this one last night and it was quintessential Katie McGarry. And I mean that in the very best way possible. Katie is my #1 go-to writer of YA contemporary and she never disappoints. My stop on the blog tour is Friday so my review will go up then.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?
Verity - Colleen Hoover
I'm feeling ready to tackle Verity. I'm excited for what's in store with this one!

What are you currently reading?
I wanna know! :)

Top Ten Tuesday: The Books I Meant to Read in 2018

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 
The Books I Meant to Read in 2018

Oh, the list goes on and on. All the should've's, meant to's and wanted to's. Picking ten was no problem and I could have just as easily picked 20 (or 30... or more). I'd like to say that all ten of these are going to take top priority and will be read immediately but why lie? They will get read... eventually.


The Great Alone | Kristin Hannah
Restore Me | Tahereh Mafi
Watching You | Lisa Jewell
A Court of Frost and Starlight | Sarah J. Maas
Punk 57 | Penelope Douglas
9 Days & 9 Nights | Katie Cotugno
Leah on the Offbeat | Becky Albertalli
The Smallest Part | Amy Harmon
Roomies | Christina Lauren
Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating | Christina Lauren

Have you read any of these?
What book did you really mean to read in 2018?

The Sunday Post #138


The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's a chance to share news - a post to recap the past week on your blog, 
showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is
coming up on your blog in the week ahead. You can find the info here:


A full week back at the office... and now a three day weekend. Gotta love January for the holidays! 

After a couple weeks of unseasonably warm weather (it was 77 degrees yesterday - ugh) we're finally getting a dose of winter. It's been raining steadily for hours and will stay in the 50's all day. Yes! 

Not much to share this week... I worked, I read a lot, I had fun writing my review of The Wicked King (and was even inspired to make a mood board for it), and now I'm enjoying my Sunday while knowing I still have another day off. #winning  Now I feel like staying in and cooking up some comfort food. What are you up to today?

It's every booklover's dream... spending the night in a library. :) This 130 year old library has been transformed into a bed and breakfast. How cool is that?! You can read all about here

   



WHAT I READ IN THE LAST WEEK:

    
Only a couple weeks into the new year and I have my first five star read. I'd put off reading this one for years, just enjoying the sheer anticipation of the experience, and it did not disappoint. I loved this book.

Wow. Holly Black totally delivered. I can say that The Wicked King was sooo worth the year-long wait. And I can't even wrap my head around what The Queen of Nothing will deliver next year. 

My re-listen of the Marked Men series continues. :)


WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING: 

There were issues getting the arcs from the publisher and there seems to be a bunch of us who didn't get our arcs until Friday... and the book releases this Tuesday. Gah! Thankfully my date on the blog tour isn't until Friday so I have a little cushion but still... 

WHAT I'M CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:

Despite the fact that these are probably my least favorite narrators in the series, this still manages to be one of my favorite books in the series. Go figure.


KINDLE BOOKS:

    
Was there a special on books with guys holding guitars this week? :)


FOR REVIEW: 

    

    





How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share? 
I'd love to hear about it!