Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Surprised Me

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

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Books That Surprised Me 
Is there a book you thought you’d love, but ended up hating? Was there a book you thought you’d hate but really loved? Major plot twist? Main character ends up with someone you weren’t expecting? Were you expecting a certain something from a certain author and they went completely rogue?


THE GOOD SURPRISE

A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas

Sooo not my usual kind of read, but the synopsis of this one appealed to me (and that cover!) so I took a chance. Paid off big time!

The Edge of Jupiter - Lora Richardson

I'm usually wary (i.e. run away screaming) of unsolicited ARCs but this one was the exception to the rule. I loved it!

The Way I Used to Be - Amber Smith

I downloaded this one on audio without knowing much about it - and was surprised by what an impact it made on me. Unforgettable.

Unraveling Oliver - Liz Nugent

Psychological suspense? Something I never pick up. But I was totally captivated by this audio book. 

Royally Screwed - Emma Chase

I was in the mood for light and fluffy and got more than I bargained for. Yes, it was a lot of fun but I was surprised at how emotional it was!

Written in Red - Anne Bishop

Urban fantasy + Me? That's something that had never happened before. But The Others is now one of my favorite series.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD SURPRISE

Wintersong - S. Jae Jones

Inspired by Labyrinth? Has a Goblin King? Count me in! Unfortunately there was little evidence of Labyrinth, the Goblin King fell flat (sob!), and the story moved at a snails pace.

Up in Flames - Abbi Glines

I loved the Rosemary Beach series. Hardcore. But this last book in the series that I was so excited for? It was like a bad soap opera with even less substance. A slap in the face to the rest of the series.

Reason to Breathe - Rebecca Donovan

It's not that I didn't like this one. It just wasn't (at all) what I was expecting. I anticipated a new adult novel with dark themes; what I got was a YA story filled with high school drama (in addition to some darker themes).

A Thousand Boy Kisses - Tillie Cole

I knew I was going to love this one. I just knew it! Oh, how very wrong I was. It was sooo sappy and sooo overly emotional, every word practically screaming This Is A Sad Book Meant To Make You Cry! So schmaltzy that I practically gagged. I truly disliked it. 

Have you read any of these books?

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Settings I'd Love to Visit

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Top Ten Books on My Winter TBR
As I was compiling my list for this week's theme something occurred to me. While I've always been a very character-focused reader, I never realized quite how much characters take the focus above all else for me - even setting. Because even though there are some settings listed here that I truly do want to visit (I'm looking at you, Scotland), more often than not it's the characters that I want to spend time with. So here are my picks for bookish setting I want to visit - sometimes as big as a entire country, sometimes as specific as a store. And off we go...

Imperial Russia: The Crown's Game
I've long had a fascination with Russia - the history, the culture, the language. The Crown's Game did a phenomenal job of bringing Imperial Russia to life. 

Rosemary Beach, FL: The Rosemary Beach series
So here's the first case of it being more about the people I want to visit and the setting just happens to be Rosemary Beach. Because, despite being a native Floridian, I don't especially like the beach. But I'd make an exception to hang out with Rush, Blaire and all the rest.

Velaris: A Court of Mist and Fury

This pick combines the perfect blend of setting and characters. Because I would love to see the City of Starlight and stroll through its streets. At the same time I could hang out with Rhys and Feyre, Cassian and Azriel, Mor and Amren. Perfection.
Scotland: Outlander
It's been almost 20 years since I first read Outlander and it ignited an interest in Scotland that has continued all these years. If I visited it would be fun to see Castle Leoch and Lallybroch (assuming they really existed) and then finish off in modern-day Edingburgh.

The Palace in Illéa: The Selection series
Not a fan of the caste system that was in place, or the rebel attacks... but I'd be all for visiting the royal palace.  The women's room, the gardens, the overall opulence - and a tour by Maxon. 

New Orleans: The Wicked trilogy
Considering it's actually within driving distance, I'm surprised I've never visited New Orleans. It seems a lot more interesting if I could go and hang out with Ivy and Ren. And of course eat beignets with Tink.

Denver: The Marked Men series
Okay, no offense to anyone who lives in Denver but I can't say I've ever had a burning desire to visit. But I definitely would like to hang with the Marked gang and since they're in Denver... so be it. I want to visit the tattoo shop(s) and see Rule and Nash and Rowdy at work. I want to go to The Bar and see Rome and Asa. And I totally want to have a girls night out with Shaw, Saint, Cora, Ayden and Royal (Salem isn't invited to my girls night LOL).

Barbary Lane, San Francisco: Tales of the City series
I have so much love for this series and such nostalgia for the unforgettable characters. I want to visit 28 Barbary Lane and spend time with all the inhabitants there: Michael (Mouse) Tolliver, Mary Ann, Mrs. Madrigal, Mona, Brian and all the rest. 

Philadelphia: The Addicted series
Not gonna lie - this one is all about the characters. Philly is just the backdrop for my favorite contemporary series of all time. I'd go anywhere to spend time with these complicated, flawed, amazing people.

Howling Good Reads: The Others series
While I find the world Anne Bishop created in The Others series fascinating, it's also filled with danger so not really a place I'd want to visit. But I'd make an exception for the Lakeside Courtyard and Howling Good Reads. Running into Simon Wolfgard and Vladimir Sanguinati while browsing for a book? Hanging out with Meg at the liaison's office? Getting something to eat from Tess at A Little Bite? Yes, please!

What bookish setting tops your list?

Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite Angsty Romances

Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at GingerReadsLainey.

Click HERE for a complete list of participants and future topics.

I was so excited when I saw that this week's T5W theme was favorite angsty romances. Because I am ALL ABOUT the angsty romance. Bring. It. On. I think for some people, angst has a kind of negative connotation but not so for me. Give me a book where the main characters are tortured souls with tragic backgrounds. Give me a story where there's every obstacle imaginable keeping the lovers apart. Give me heartbreak and heartache. Does that make me a glutton for punishment? Maybe, but I'm also one happy reader. So here are some of my favorite angtsy romances/couples. 

THE BRONZE HORSEMAN

Paullina Simons

The Bronze Horseman takes the gold medal in angst. I mean, come on, when the story starts Alexander is dating Tatiana's sister. How's that for some angst? Then there's that pesky war keeping them apart. Much angst ensues.

MAYBE SOMEDAY

Colleen Hoover

When I started this list, four of the five picks were from Colleen Hoover. I practically had to flip a coin to choose just one. I ended up going with the first CoHo book I ever read. The angst-filled relationship between Sydney and Ridge in Maybe Someday had me in pieces, desperate for some kind of happy ending. Many tears were shed.

ADDICTED TO YOU

Krista & Becca Ritchie

I don't consider the Addicted series as a whole to be particularly angsty. But that first book, when Lily and Lo were deep into their addictions and struggling daily - yeah, that was pretty angsty. They were each other's crutch but also one another's salvation. The ending of this one tore me up. 

FALL TOO FAR

Abbi Glines

I'm a sucker for the Rosemary Beach series. Seriously, it's my book crack. And it all started with Blaire and Rush. He's the son of the woman her father has just married. She's a simple girl from Alabama. He's a rock star's son. Angst and drama, drama and angst. I ate it up like candy.  

WAIT FOR YOU

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Cam and Avery's relationship was a rocky one with plenty of obstacles. Cam's past, Avery's past, misunderstandings. Their road to happiness was hard fought and no two people deserved it more. I loved this angsty love story.

How do you feel about angsty romance?
Love it or hate it?

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

Talking about books I'm excited to read never gets old. 
Especially ones that I want to happen sooner rather than later. 
So here we go...

  

 

Have you read any of these?

What's at the top of your Spring TBR?

Rosemary Beach... It's Almost Over *sob*

If you've been following me for any time at all you know I love Abbi Glines and I *really* love her Rosemary Beach series. It's my book crack... I'm totally addicted.

Rosemary Beach is a very real place on the Gulf Coast of Florida. And, as a Floridian, I feel fairly certain that I could hop on over there on any given day and run into all the characters I have come to know and love over the past 12 books. I'd swing by the Kerrington Country Club, of course, and there would be Blaire, Della, Harlow and Bethy having lunch in the dining room. From the window I can see the guys heading in from a round of golf - there's Rush, Grant, Woods and Tripp. Oh, who just arrived? What a surprise! Mase and Reese are here from the ranch in Texas for a weekend visit. Even Dean (yep, the Slacker Demon rock star himself) is in town, back at Rush and Blaire's house babysitting little Nate.

Okay, okay, so I know they're not *really* there but it's fun to imagine. Abbi has created an entire cast of characters that feel as though they live and breathe and I am totally invested in their stories. 

Yesterday Abbi revealed the cover of The Best Goodbye, the next to last book in the Rosemary Beach series. This is Captain's story (Blaire's half brother). He had a pretty significant role in the last book, When You're Back, and I had mixed feelings about him. He obviously has a serious, compassionate side but I also was ready to throat punch him for meddling in Reese and Mase's relationship. It'll be interesting to see how his story plays out in The Best Goodbye.

I'll be *so* sad to see this series end but at least there are still the final two books to look forward to. The Best Goodbye releases on December 1, 2015 and can be pre-ordered here: Amazon US  Amazon UK 

Do you read the Rosemary Beach series? Or have a favorite series that you're not ready to say goodbye to?

Review: When You're Back by Abbi Glines

When You're Back by Abbi Glines
Series: Rosemary Beach #12
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: June 30, 2015 by Simon and Schuster
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Purchased
Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines comes the next new adult novel in her beloved Rosemary Beach series, which continues the story of Mase and Reese from When I’m Gone.

She was where my home would always be. 

It was time I took the next step and proved to her I was all in. 

Forever.

A chance meeting in Rosemary Beach has turned into a fairy-tale romance as Reese prepares to move in with Mase on his family ranch in Texas. With the loving support of the Colts, and her recent discovery that she has family of her own, Reese can finally move on from the dark horrors of her past and into a bright future.

But Aida isn’t going to let that happen. The beautiful blonde has been raised to think of Mase as her cousin, but it’s clear to Reese that Aida doesn’t love Mase like a cousin should.

And then there’s Captain, the inescapable stranger who has connections in Dallas and Rosemary Beach—and who conveniently shows up wherever Reese happens to be. Hot, mysterious, and plain-speaking, Captain isn’t afraid to tell Reese what he thinks about Mase—and how he feels about her.

As the competition for Mase and Reese’s hearts heats up, Reese’s past begins to unravel, illuminating shocking truths that will forever change the lives of the happy couple—and set the final stories of Rosemary Beach in motion.

My Thoughts

Mase and Reese's story, which started in When I'm Gone, continues here and it's one filled with jealousy, secrets, and terrors from the past. 

Both Mase and Reese envision a future together but outside forces seem intent on planting seeds of doubt and mistrust. After a brief separation to visit family, Reese joins Mase at the ranch and it's there she meets Aida. Aida and Mase were raised as cousins, although there is no blood relation, and it quickly becomes apparent to Reese that Aida has set her sights on Mase and would much rather be kissing cousins.

Reese is determined to continue her efforts to learn and spread her wings and she accepts a job as the assistant to the wife of a fellow rancher. Her confidence blossoms as she pushes herself and it's there that she again encounters Blaire Finlay's brother, Captain. Despite his insistence that he's just being friendly, Reese is unnerved by his flirting and his comments meant to cast doubt on Mase's commitment to her.

I loved seeing Reese push her boundaries and taking more control of her life. There were times where her continued uncertainty about the depth of Mase's feelings for her was frustrating (what more can he do or say to show her he is head over heels in love?), but considering her background and the lack of any experience or role model it was understandable. I liked seeing her interactions with Mase's mother, Maryann, and found myself wishing for more. I did find it surprising that there was no mention of Reese continuing to work with a tutor/therapist for her dyslexia.

Mase is a character that is impossible not to love. He loves fiercely and was willing do anything for those he cared about. When Harlow was overwhelmed by Kiro's acting out, Mase was at her side. When Reese needed him, he was there for her. The few times Mase felt like he got his priorities wrong or let Reese down, he instantly made it right.

This was the first Rosemary Beach novel to actually not take place in Rosemary Beach and it was a refreshing change of scenery. New places, new people. Captain was intriguing and that plot twist has me dying to know about his background. And there's Vile Aida... she's like Vile Nan, Texas-style. Even as much as I enjoyed the new setting, I loved the trips back to Rosemary Beach and the appearance of the characters I've come to know and love (Grant and Harlow are just *the sweetest*).

When You're Back is very much a story of Reese and Mase navigating their still-new relationship, learning to trust, and understanding the commitment they have to one another. This is another compulsively readable entry into the Rosemary Beach series. And as long as Abbi keeps writing them I'll be reading them!

"Do you see me? This man in front of you will love you until the day he dies. You're my one, Reese. My one."
- Mase Colt Manning

Have you read When You're Gone? 

Or have a favorite new adult book or author you want to share? 

Tell me about it below!