Review: Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Dark Elements #3
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Release Date: July 28, 2015 by Harlequin Teen
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Purchased
Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

Some loves will last ’til your dying breath.

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell.

My Thoughts

Now *THIS* is how to end a series!

I'm sure we've all read some truly disappointing series enders (*cough Allegiant *cough*) and it's always a little worrisome when a series you love comes to an end. Will there be a satisfying conclusion? Will everyone get a happily ever after? Will all loose ends be tied up? Or will you want to throw the book across the room and be left with a massive book hangover?

Never fear, fans of the Dark Elements trilogy. 

Jennifer Armentrout does not disappoint!

I could easily gush nonstop about Every Last Breath but there's really not a lot I can say without major spoilers. I will say that I got everything I wanted from Every Last Breath... and then some. Plenty of action, plenty of romance, plenty of snarky comments and one-liners and JLA's signature humor. There was so much happening that I did *not* see coming, all the while building to a decision that was inevitable. Heartbreaking, but inevitable. 

Every Last Breath is about much more than "who will Layla choose." The Lilin is at large and must be stopped. The consequences of failure are apocalyptic. There are also changes in Layla as she comes to terms with the betrayal of those she considered family and with her own abilities. This is a stronger, more confident Layla than we first met in White Hot Kiss.

There were so many surprises in Every Last Breath. A plot twist I never saw coming. A surprising character that still has me questioning... everything. (Morris??!!) There were laugh out loud lines, appearances of side characters that I've grown to love (Cayman is the best!), and even some surprisingly emotional moments that caught me off guard.

Armentrout has done it again - created characters that I fall in love with, a story that keeps me turning the pages, and infuses it all with humor and emotion. I couldn't be happier with the conclusion to this trilogy.

Favorite laugh-out-loud line: 

"Whoa. Simmer down, crouching demon, hidden Warden."

Have you read Every Last Breath? 

Or have a favorite paranormal romance book/author you want to share? 

Tell me about it below!
(***Please be aware of possible SPOILERS left in the comments.***)

That's What *HE* Said Thursday #06

That's What He Said Thursday is a weekly meme created 

and hosted by Chapter Break. It's a fun way to share a quote 

from a favorite book boyfriend (aka male protagonist) to his girl.

For more info, visit Chapter Break here.

This week's quote is from my current read - Every Last Breath by 
Jennifer L. Armentrout. It's the final book in the Dark Elements trilogy 
and is full of great lines to choose from. Here's one of my favorites 
from Roth - the snarky, badass, totally hot Crown Prince of Hell. :)

Do you participate in That's What He Said Thursday? 

Or just have a favorite quote you want to share? Tell me below!

July Book Haul

Um yeah, so this happened. :) Between the Book Outlet sale/coupon (they totally twisted my arm!), my monthly Bookworm Box, a stop at a Walmart that actually had an impressive book section, a visit to Barnes & Noble, a pre-order... what's a girl to do?

Kaleidoscope Hearts by Claire Contreras - I read this on my Kindle in June and really enjoyed it so I was pleasantly surprised when I received a physical copy in my Bookworm Box!

Siege & Storm by Leigh Bardugo - I have it in hardcover but Book Outlet had the paperback for a ridiculous price. Since I prefer reading in paperback I couldn't pass it up.

Hold On Tight by Abbi Glines - I adore the Rosemary Beach series and have been nabbing the Sea Breeze books as they are released in paperback. I'll be marathoning the whole series soon. Can't wait!

After the Rain by Renee Carlino - I've heard such great things about Renee Carlino's books. I'll be reading/reviewing Before We Were Strangers later this month and I'm looking forward to that one as well.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson - I finally caved. I have so many book friends that positively gush over the genius of Morgan Matson so it's time to experience it for myself.

The Way Home by Cindy Gerard - This one has actually been on my TBR for almost two years, ever since I read a review of it in RT Book Reviews. Book Outlet had a copy and I was so surprised to see it that I grabbed it.

Slow Burn by K. Bromberg - I'm not a fan of mass market paperbacks and I picked this one up on a whim. I believe this one is part of a companion series but does not need to be read in order.

Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley - Another mass market paperback that I picked up because I was in a book-buying mood and the Walmart I was at had a huge selection. It's the third in a series so I'll have to check if they need to be read in order.

Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout - My one pre-order this month. The final book in the Dark Elements trilogy! Gotta see how this one ends - will it be Roth or will it be Zayne? #TeamRoth

Then and Always by Dani Atkins - I reviewed an ARC of Dani's other book, The Story of Us, a couple months ago and loved it. I was excited to find this one available at Book Outlet.

A Stone in the Sea by A.L. Jackson - This was the second book that came in my July Bookworm Box. It sounds like a great new adult read... and it's blurbed by Mia Sheridan so I'm kinda sold right there.

Of Triton by Anna Banks - The second book in The Syrena Legacy trilogy. My BookTube friend Kassidy raves about this series. 

Poison Princess and Endless Knight by Kresley Cole - The first two books in the Arcana Chronicles. Another recommendation from Kassidy. #KassidyMadeMeBuyIt

Becoming Rain by K.A. Tucker - I'm one book shy of completing Tucker's Ten Tiny Breaths series and then it's on to the Burying Water series. Becoming Rain is the second in that series. She is an amazing storyteller! 

Have you read any of these? What did you add to your shelves in July? Tell me about it below... comments make me happy!

Every Last Breath Release Blitz + Giveaway

I am super excited to be taking part in the Release Blitz for Jennifer L. Armentrout's Every Last Breath, the final book in the Dark Elements series.

The first two books were filled with action and romance and intrigue - and now it's coming to an end. This is an amazing series and if you're a fan of YA, paranormal, romance, action and suspense, or the talented Jennifer L. Armentrout... what are you waiting for? Pick up this series now and experience it for yourself. (And be sure to read to the end for a chance to win a complete SIGNED set of the Dark Elements series!)

The Epic Finale in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s 

Dark Elements Series...Who Will She Choose?

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Don't miss the conclusion to this stunning Young Adult Paranormal series filled with danger and romance published by HarlequinTEEN. 

“Armentrout is a major talent…I just can’t stop reading!”

--New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter

“Armentrout works her magic with swoon-worthy guys and a twist you never see coming.”

--#1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines on White Hot Kiss

Get your copy here:

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo ** BAM

Enjoy this excerpt from Every Last Breath:

“Oh my God!” This time my hand connected with his arm. “You’re going to be in so much trouble, Roth!   So much trouble.”

He shrugged a shoulder. “Defended myself.”

“Defended myself.” I mimicked him, bopping my head back and forth. “You can’t just go around killing Alphas, Roth!”

“You killed those angels?” Stacey asked, so I guessed she did remember them.

He sent her an innocent grin. “Well, I didn’t, but…”

“Roth!” I shouted, backing away before I started choking the ever-loving life out of him. “This is not a joke. You—”

He was damn fast when he wanted to be. One second he was several feet away from me and the next he was there, clasping the sides of my face. He lowered his head so he was eye level with me. “There are rules, Shortie.”

“But—”

“Rules that even the Alphas have to abide by. They cannot attack me without physical provocation. If they do, they tick the Boss off, and then the Boss retaliates in a way that makes what the Lilin could do look like child’s play. I’m not just some random demon. I’m the Crown Prince. They took a swing at me, and I defended myself. End of story.”

But he had provoked them—maybe not physically, but he wasn’t an innocent bystander in this. As the shock ebbed, there was a different kind of bitter pill to swallow. What if Roth had gotten his rules wrong? What if more Alphas were even now on the way to avenge their brethren?

“I’m going to be okay.” His eyes held mine as he stepped closer, lining his booted feet up with mine. “Nothing is going to happen to me. I promise.”

“You can’t make that promise,” I whispered, searching his gaze intently. “None of us can.”

His hands slid back and he curled his fingers in my loose hair. “I can.”

Those two words were like throwing down a gauntlet to the whole universe. I lowered my gaze as he dragged my hair back, tucking both sides behind my ears. It was then, as he slowly withdrew his hands, that I remembered we were not alone.

I jerked back and my gaze collided with Zayne’s. For a moment, I let myself really see Zayne. I hadn’t almost killed him. I had almost done something much, much worse than that. When a Warden lost their soul, they turned into a horrific creature. I knew that for a fact, because I’d seen what had happened to a Warden after their soul had been taken from them. I’d almost done that to Zayne, and he was still here, standing by my side.

A hole opened up in my chest as I saw the keen wariness in his stare. My stomach twisted something awful and I opened my mouth, but I didn’t know what to say. My heart and head were suddenly tearing in two very different directions. Fortunately, I didn’t get the chance to say anything.

“I leave you alone for a few hours, and you let Thumper fry and eat an Alpha.”

Yelping, I spun around as Stacey screamed. Cayman stood in the center of the destroyed living room. He’d come out of nowhere. Poof. There. He wore dark trousers and a white dress shirt he appeared to have gotten bored with when it came to buttoning it up, and his blond hair was loose around his angular face. When it came to the demon pecking order, Roth had once explained that as an Infernal Ruler, Cayman was middle management. He was kind of like the demon-of-all-trades, and I had a feeling he was more than just a…um, coworker of Roth’s. Whether Roth claimed it or not, they were friends.

“That was quick,” Roth commented, folding his arms across his chest.

Cayman shrugged. “It’s a sign of the times, man. It’ll probably be on some Alpha’s Facebook wall within the hour.”

Alphas had Facebook accounts?

Don’t miss the first titles in the Dark Elements Series:

BITTER SWEET LOVE

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** BAM ** Kobo

WHITE HOT KISS

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** BAM ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo

STONE COLD TOUCH

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo ** BAM

About Jennifer L. Armentrout: # 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads

Don't miss your chance to win a SIGNED set of the Dark Elements series!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top 5 Wednesday: Anticipated Releases (for the Rest of the Year)

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at GingerReadsLainey.

Click HERE for a complete list of participants.

This week's topic is an easy one for me. There are some upcoming releases that I'm so excited for that I didn't have to give it too much thought. Here (in order of release date) are the books that are giving me the biggest grabby hands:

  

Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout

July 28, 2015

Not long to wait for this one! Less than a week and this will be in my greedy little hands. This is the final book in the Dark Elements trilogy and I can't wait to see what happens. #TeamRoth!

Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines

August 25, 2015

A new Abbi Glines series? Yes, please!

After You by Jojo Moyes

September 29, 2015

Me Before You was one of my favorites of 2014 and I was thrilled when I saw there would be a follow-up.

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

November 10, 2015

Doesn't even matter what it's about. It's Colleen Hoover. 'Nuff said.

Oblivion by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Expected in December 2015

Mere words cannot express my level of excitement over this. Another (unexpected!) entry in the Lux series. This time from Daemon's POV. Merry Christmas to me!

Any upcoming releases that have you ready to stalk the book store/mailbox? 

Comment below with what books you're most excited for!

Trailer Reveal!! Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout (+ Giveaway)

 

I am *so* excited to be able to share the trailer for the Epic Finale in Jennifer L. Armentrout's Dark Elements Series, EVERY LAST BREATH! 

Published by HarlequinTeen, EVERY LAST BREATH is a young adult paranormal filled with romance and danger, being released on July 28^th, 2015. 

Be sure to pre-order your copy today and enter to win some 

AMAZING Dark Elements prizes!

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo ** BAM

  EVERY LAST BREATH Synopsis: Some loves will last ‘til your dying breath Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust. Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction. Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell… “Armentrout is a major talent…I just can’t stop reading!” --New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter “Armentrout works her magic with swoon-worthy guys and a twist you never see coming.” --#1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines on White Hot Kiss  

And here's the amazing trailer for EVERY LAST BREATH...

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/QLM2W uvsX4g

 

 And don't forget to pre-order your copy of EVERY LAST BREATH today and enter to win!

Enter now to win an INCREDIBLE Dark Elements prize pack including a VISA GIFT CARD! Register your pre-order of Jennifer L. Armentrout's EVERY LAST BREATH now to enter PLUS help unlock MORE prizes! ► http://bit.ly/1Fy7ekS

EVERY LAST BREATH Preorder Links

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo ** BAM

 

Don’t miss the first titles 

in the Dark Elements Series!

BITTER SWEET LOVE

Ama zon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** BAM ** Kobo

WHITE HOT KISS

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** BAM ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo

STONE COLD TOUCH

Amazon** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo** BAM

About Jennifer L. Armentrout: # 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.  

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads