Top Ten Tuesday: I Love You Just the Way You Are (aka Cover Redesigns Gone Bad)

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

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Cover Redesigns Gone Bad

When given the choice with Top Ten Tuesday topics, I typically go for the more positive option. Something I love over something I dislike. A good change over a bad change. You get the idea. But when it comes to cover redesigns, I tend to want them to leave well enough alone. New isn't always better. And 99% of the time I prefer the original cover over the redesign. So I'm not going with the positive option this time... I'm sharing the cover redesigns that I really dislike. The ones that got worse instead of better. The ones that make me want to sing (à la Billy Joel) "don't go changing to try to please me... I love you just the way you are!" 

THE LUX SERIES - JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT

I'll admit that I'm extra picky about these covers because the Lux series is an all-time favorite. I LOVE this series. And I know that plenty of people consider these covers cheesy but I'm all for them. When I think of the Lux series (which happens a lot, actually LOL) I think of these covers. They ARE the Lux series. 

But the publisher has changed these covers not one, not twice, but many times. *sigh* First they decided to do bind-ups and came out with these covers that were sparkly for no apparent reason (did they confuse the aliens with the Twilight vampires??) and added a girl with very bad makeup.

The latest covers are even worse, if that's possible, and we've moved on from Bad Makeup Girl to Silhouette People. They should have just left them alone. For me nothing will ever beat the original covers with Pepe Toth.♥

THE OFF-CAMPUS SERIES - ELLE KENNEDY

So, I've mentioned before about how I'm not a huge fan of the whole shirtless-guy-on the-cover thing. I mean, I love a six-pack as much as the next girl, but even so... they're a little cringey. However, I make an exception for the Off-Campus series. When it comes to new adult/college romance these are practically iconic. Romance readers know these covers. So when there was a cover redesign a while back there was quite the scramble to quickly add the original covers to collections before they were nowhere to be found. (I currently have two and am still trying to track down the other two in the original covers.) The new covers aren't bad... but to me they just don't represent the series well. 

THE DARK ELEMENTS SERIES - JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT

Here's a cover redesign that happened mid-series. The worst! Books one and two came out and I liked them well enough. Layla + Roth, Layla + Zayne, both in muted tones. Then as the third book was being released... *bam*... cover redesign. Muted tones are gone and we get half a girl's face. The new covers stayed with the partial-face theme and I can't say I was a fan. The new covers are totally generic and boring. Boo.

THE CALLOWAY SISTERS SERIES - KRISTA & BECCA RITCHIE

These original covers represented each character so well. Rose's elegance, blonde wild-child Daisy, Connor's cool sophistication, and Ryke's extreme lifestyle. I'm not sure what prompted the cover change (Krista & Becca are self-published so it's not like a publishing house made the call), but I don't feel like it adds anything. And instead of reflecting four distinctive characters it's just four random shirtless guys. Thumbs down.

BITTERSWEET - SARINA BOWEN

   

Maybe it's just me, but the guy on the original cover of Bittersweet is Griffin Shipley. And apparently it really is just me because I recently saw Sarina Bowen talking about the cover change and saying that the original cover didn't capture the tone of the story. But I think the old cover is perfect... and way better than the couple on the new cover. (I'll be standing over here alone in my feelings for the original cover. *looks around forlornly*)

ARCHER'S VOICE - MIA SHERIDAN

   

I love the original cover for Archer's Voice. It's one of those books I would recognize instantly by the cover art, no title or author needed. The newer cover? Just... why? It says nothing about the story. It looks like some generic stock photography that could be used for anything. Why do that? I am confused.

MAKING FACES - AMY HARMON

     

This is another case like Archer's Voice. The black and white cover with Ambrose pictured is what I think of every time I picture Making Faces. I get that the newer cover is supposed to be Fern, but for me the original cover is the one that fits the story best. The photo of a tortured Ambrose, the black and white photography, the font(s) used for the title... it all fits the story best.

TRUST - KYLIE SCOTT

     

Okay, this last one is another I feel strongly about. I received an e-arc of Trust and loved it. I knew I wanted to buy a physical copy but in the blink of an eye they changed the cover. Like, within the first month of release! I have no idea why (I heard that the original cover looked too new adult instead of YA... but who knows.) So all of a sudden, even though it was a new release, I couldn't order a physical copy with the original cover. I was on a mission! I ended up finding a copy on eBay and paid a ridiculous sum of money to get it. While the redesigned cover is okay (I can totally see that being Edie and John), I much prefer the first cover.

So, I know I've only shared eight, and Top Eight Tuesday just isn't a thing, but I can't think of any other cover redesigns that I feel particularly strongly about. I'll let you fill in the last two spots... which cover redesigns do you think got it all wrong?

Book Outlet Book Haul

Contrary to what The Husband might think (*cough*), I don't buy that many books. No, really, I don't. Quit laughing! :) I one-click a Kindle book now and then, and I'm even kind of cheap when I do that. (I'll rarely go over $2.99 for a Kindle... I have my limits.) And I'll buy physical copies when it comes to my small handful of favorite authors - or when I'm dying to read a new release that I'm sure I'll love (I'm looking at you, Red, White & Royal Blue). So book hauls aren't really a thing for me. 

But a couple weeks ago I was casually perusing Book Outlet - something I hadn't done in probably a year - and what do you know? All the things! I want that book! And that one! And there's another one!

And, before you could say #NoRegrets, I had 18 books in my cart. So that happened. 

  

And because we all enjoy enabling each other sharing (sorrynotsorry), here are all my new pretties. For those interested, I'll include the Book Outlet price (at the time I ordered) in case you're tempted to nab one (or 18) for yourself. (nudge-nudge)

More Than We Can Tell - Brigid Kemmerer ($5.99)

Rev is one of my favorite fictional characters ever. I love adding the hardcover version of his story to my shelf.

9 Days & 9 Nights - Katie Cotugno ($4.89)

After loving Cotugno's 99 Days, I cannot believe I haven't read this yet. So coming across this one was a real score.

Emmy & Oliver - Robin Benway ($5.99)

Until Far From the Tree came out, this was my favorite by Benway. I adore these two main characters.

After the Game and Losing the Field - Abbi Glines ($6.49 each)

I read After the Game but only had the uncorrected e-arc and I haven't read Losing the Field yet, so I was excited to grab both of these.

The Impossibility of Us and Kissing Max Holden - Katy Upperman ($4.89 and $3.89)

I read both of these as e-arcs and love having physical copies for my shelf. Katy is a fantastic new voice in contemporary YA.

The Way I Used to Be - Amber Smith ($3.89)

I initially listened to this on audio several years ago and it was unforgettable. I'd like to do a re-read with a physical copy.

Riot - Tillie Cole ($4.89)

My first experience with Tillie Cole was an epic fail but I'm willing to give her another try. (Especially at this price.)

Riveted and Salvaged - Jay Crownover ($4.89 each)

Having just recently listened to both of these on audio (and loving them) I jumped at the chance to nab copies at such a great price.

Sin & Suffer - Pepper Winters ($4.39)

I'm still fairly new to Pepper Winters, but I know I want to read more from her.

Most of All You - Mia Sheridan ($4.39)

I adore Mia Sheridan and this one was already on my TBR.

I Found You - Lisa Jewell ($7.59)

Ditto with Lisa Jewell. I've been dying to read this one. 

Ride Hard, Ride Rough and Ride Wild - Laura Kaye ($2.79 each)

I just recently read my first by Laura Kaye. Grabbing the first three books in a series for less than $3 a book? Can't pass that up.

The Break - Marian Keyes ($3.29)

It's been a long time since I read anything from Marian Keyes but I've always enjoyed her storytelling.

So there you have it... my epic Book Outlet book haul. Because I so obviously needed more to read. (*looks away quickly*)

Have you read any of these books?

Do you ever order from Book Outlet?

Throwback Thursday Review: Leo by Mia Sheridan

Leo by Mia Sheridan

Series: No

Genres: Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Release Date: November 27, 2013

Format: Kindle

Source: Purchased

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

Evie and Leo met in foster care as children and formed a bond of friendship. As they grew, their bond turned to love, and they vowed to make a life together when they turned 18 and were no longer a part of the system.

When Leo unexpectedly gets adopted as a teen and moves to another city, he promises Evie that he will contact her as soon as he gets there and come back for her in a few short years. She never hears from him again.

Now eight years later, in spite of the odds, Evie has made a life for herself. She has a job. She has friends. She's content. Then a man shows up out of the blue, claiming that her long lost love, Leo, sent him to check up on her. The attraction between them is undeniable. But, should she trust this sexy stranger? Or is he keeping a secret about what his connection to Leo is really all about and why Leo disappeared all those years ago?

My Thoughts

A sure sign you are about to read a story that simply captivates you? When you read a line and fall in love on PAGE TWO. Yes, page two. That's how quickly I fell under the spell of this incredibly moving and heartfelt story. 

Evie and Leo meet while in foster care. She is 10 and he is 11. They form an unbreakable bond that sees them through tough circumstances. By the age of 14, Evie knows she's in love with Leo, which makes it even more heartbreaking when he announces that he is being adopted and he'll be moving across the country with his new parents. But they promise to wait for one another and Leo swears he will return for Evie when she turns 18 so they can start their life together. But that doesn't happen.

"No matter how far apart we are. No matter the distance or time, I will never love anyone except you. Not ever."

Eight years later Evie is 22 years old, working as a hotel maid to support herself, and has a few friends. But she's never forgotten Leo. When an attractive man approaches her and says that Leo sent him she is more hurt and confused than ever. But her attraction to this new man, Jake, cannot be denied and even as they start a passionate affair she questions what Jake may be hiding and what his connection to Leo really is.

Evie and Leo captured my heart from the very beginning with the strength and the sweetness of their feelings for one another. These two special people found each other early in life but both had already endured so much. Although they were young, there love was pure and true and my heart ached for them both. Seeing Evie eight years later was satisfying in that, while she still loved and missed Leo, she had overcome her circumstances and worked hard to create a new life for herself. She was equal parts strong and vulnerable and I loved that about her. She hadn't allowed her past to make her bitter or hard. Instead, she was kind and compassionate.

Maybe I'm an open book, or maybe love is like a magnifying glass straight into the souls of those who own your heart.

Jake was an intriguing character. He was attractive and charming and a gentleman (with some alpha tendencies that just made him even harder to resist). He was kind and sweet and generous to Evie and wanted to give her so much. I never doubted his feelings for her. But there was also plenty of mystery surrounding Jake. Many questions about his past that he said he would share with Evie, but only later. I had so many questions and so many theories and learning the truth was heartbreaking. 

I loved the flashbacks that provided more of Evie and Leo's story. It really drove home what these two meant to one another and how much of a support system they were for each other. Growing up where they may have had food and shelter but sorely lacked any love or (foster) parental guidance only strengthened their bond.

I can't say enough (without gushing) about how much I enjoyed Mia Sheridan's writing. It was perfect in its simplicity (and I mean that in the very best way possible). Her writing had an ease and a flow that drew me right in and had me completely immersed in these characters and their story. My only complaint? I wanted more of this incredible love story. I've become an instant fan of Mia Sheridan and I know I'll be reading all her other works very soon.

4.5/5 Stars
Originally read/reviewed January 2015

 

Have you ever read a book that you loved instantly?

Top Ten Tuesday: Contemporary Romance

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's theme is Top Ten ALL TIME favorite books from whatever genre you choose. Well, picking the genre was a no-brainer: contemporary romance is my jam. But picking my top ten of all time? Yeah, that proved slightly more difficult...

In no particular order:

Ugly Love - Colleen Hoover
The Summer I Found You - Jolene Perry
Some Kind of Perfect - Krista & Becca Ritchie
Him - Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
One True Loves - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Easy - Tammara Webber
Wait For You - Jennifer L. Armentrout
Ten Tiny Breaths - K.A. Tucker
Leo - Mia Sheridan
On the Island - Tracey Garvis Graves

What's your favorite contemporary romance?

Or your favorite genre?

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books Every Hopeless Romantic Should Read

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

I'm a sucker for romance. And I kind of demand it in my books. Hopefully it's in the forefront but if not it needs to be in there somewhere. If there's no swoon factor... seriously, why bother? *wink* So if you're in the mood for a big heaping dose of l'amour, here are my Top Ten picks.

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - I think the term 'epic love story' was created for this tale of Tatiana and Alexander.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - Not strictly a romance novel, but James Malcom Mackenzie Fraser is seriously swoon-worthy.

Leo by Mia Sheridan - The love these two characters shared started in childhood and never waned.

Easy by Tammara Webber - Watching Lucas and Jacqueline fall in love brought on all the feels.

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover - The evolution of Ridge and Sydney's relationship wasn't easy but it was GOOD.

Wait For You by Jennifer L. Armentrout - One word: CAM. Looking for your next boyfriend? CAM.

Kiro's Emily by Abbi Glines - This one packs more of an emotional punch when read as part of the Rosemary Beach series, but even on its own there is no denying the love Kiro has for his beloved Emily.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - The lighter side of romance but it completely charmed me.

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves - Anna and T.J. I thought about them long after I read their story. I was captivated.

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover - It has as much heartbreak as it does romance, but it's worth every tear. 

So there are my top picks for some romance that's sure to make your heart beat a little faster and totally overuse the heart eyes emoji in your reviews. 

Do you read romance? What's the best love story you've ever read?

TOP 10 BOOKS of 2015!

I am so excited to be sharing my end-of-year favorites! Even as I type this, I haven't narrowed it down to 10 books. Sure, some immediately come to mind, but I'll be doing a lot of thinking (and a lot of GoodReads checking) before this is finished. Let's get started... (*Disclaimer: I tried - I really, really tried - to narrow it down to 10 but it was impossible. So yeah, I cheated. But it's my list so I told myself it was okay. So there.)

LEO by MIA SHERIDAN

Read in: January

This was my first surprise of the year. I can't even remember how I came to find this little gem. But I'm so glad I did. Even my GoodReads status showed this one was going to be something special:

EMMY & OLIVER by ROBIN BENWAY

Read in: September

This book just hit me right in the heart. Benway told the story of two childhood friends reunited after years apart due to a parental kidnapping. This could have felt very "after school special" but instead it was sweet and charming and sad and I adored Emmy and Oliver so, so much.

EVERY LAST BREATH by JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT

Read in: August

Horrible cover change aside, Armentrout nailed it with this end to the Dark Elements trilogy. And because Roth. Need I say more?

WAIT FOR YOU by JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT

Read in: September

This new adult novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout (sometimes credited as J. Lynn) was everything I'd hoped it would be. Few people write male leads like JLA and Cam Hamilton is a shining example of that. It took a while for Avery and Cam to reach a happy ending, but Cam made it all worthwhile.

A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by SARAH J. MAAS

Read in: September 

The Took A Chance And It Paid Off Big Time award goes to A Court of Thorns and Roses. I wasn't sure about this one because: 1) I'd read Throne of Glass by Maas and wasn't blown away, and 2) Fantasy is not my genre of choice and I rarely read it. But the synopsis grabbed me and I had a serious case of cover love so I gave it a try. {pats self on the back for such a wise decision} I was completely hooked on Feyre's story, swooned over Tamlin and have total grabby hands for the next book.

I'LL MEET YOU THERE by HEATHER DEMETRIOS

Read in: December

This is such a recent read that I haven't even reviewed it yet. And I'm not even sure how I will review it because I'll never do it justice and I'm almost too emotional about it to be objective. Demetrios is so masterful that I never once felt like I was reading fiction; instead the realism was such that I felt Sky and Josh must be people that the author knew and she decided to write their heartbreaking story. The military aspect hit close to home and this is one that will stay with me for a long time.

**And here's where the cheating starts...**

 

HOTHOUSE FLOWER and THRIVE by KRISTA & BECCA RITCHIE

Read in: January and April, respectively

I've shared many times that Krista and Becca Ritchie's Addicted series is my favorite contemporary series... ever. I have come to love every character in the series and there were scenes in both of these books that were so powerful and so emotional it was overwhelming. 

  

 

THE SLAMMED TRILOGY  and the HOPELESS DUOLOGY by COLLEEN HOOVER

Read in: April and October, respectively

This was the year that I delved into Colleen's back catalog and read her earliest novels from 2012-2013. Simply put, there is no one whose writing strikes an emotional chord with me like Colleen Hoover. Lake and Will from Slammed and Sky and Holder from Hopeless - these characters and their stories broke my heart and made me happy for it. 

 

CONFESS and NOVEMBER 9 by COLLEEN HOOVER

Read in: March and November, respectively

Do you have any idea how hard it was to choose between CoHo's books and series and decide which would be #2 and which would be #3? Torture, I tell you! Colleen had two full-length stand-alone releases this year and both received 5-star ratings from me. Confess has the distinction of being the only book to ever make me cry in the prologue, and November 9 often had me laughing through my tears. I hope Colleen never stops writing.

THE NIGHTINGALE by KRISTIN HANNAH

Read in: February

As a long time fan of Kristin Hannah, I know that I'm most likely going to love anything she writes. But nothing could have prepared me for the gut-wrenching story that is The Nightingale. It is beautifully written which only serves as a stark contrast to the unimaginable fear and bravery that are portrayed. I cringed at the danger these two sisters found themselves in, cheered at their quiet victories, and cried for their losses. The Nightingale is unforgettable and without a doubt my Top Book of 2015.

What were your favorites of 2015? Have you read any of my picks? 

Let's talk about about the Best of 2015!