Short Take Reviews: Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words and Top Secret

HEIDI'S GUIDE TO FOUR LETTER WORDS
Tara Sivec & Andi Arndt
Publication date: September 3, 2019
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook, 6 hrs 15 min
Source: Audible (provided for review)
3.5 STARS
GOODREADS 

Nothing good ever comes from drinking a box of wine alone. So when I decided to entertain my drunken self by setting up some hand-me-down podcasting equipment and reading the steamy parts from romance novels, I never thought anyone would actually listen. The fact that I admitted my huge crush on my sexy next door neighbor made the whole thing even more mortifying. But sometimes life surprises you, and that’s how my podcast, Heidi’s Discount Erotica, was born.

Now I, Heidi Larsen, a sweet former kindergarten teacher in Waconia, Minnesota, lead a scandalous double life reading erotic novels to the listening world. And with each episode, I find myself embracing my new alter ego more and more. Now I’m starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin and do things I never would have dreamed of - like kissing my neighbor.

Look out, Waconia, because Heidi’s on the loose! She’s in your ears, in your hearts, and down your pants...wait, that didn’t sound as good as it did in my head. Well, you get the picture, don’tcha know!

M Y   T H O U G H T S

I have mixed feelings about Heidi's Guide. For the first half of the book I found Heidi (and several other characters) super annoying and downright prissy. Their reactions to anything even remotely risque were so over the top that it was hard to take seriously. (Yes, I know this is a rom-com, with a big focus on the comedy aspect.) But the way they were so completely shocked and offended by romance books that (gasp!) contained sex scenes and dared to include (double gasp!) "dirty words was ridiculous. Was this supposed to be 2019 or 1919? Also, the (over) involvement of Heidi's mother in her life, and Heidi's need to please her mother, bugged me as well. This is supposed to be a mature, self-supporting, independent woman but she often came across as sheltered and juvenile.

The second half of the book was a big improvement. Heidi started making changes and becoming more confident. Her podcasts were a fun part of the story and I enjoyed seeing her loosen up and push her boundaries.  Another highlight was Brent, the sexy next door neighbor. He was 100% of the too-good-to-be-true variety but I didn't care. He was super sweet, patient, and obviously smitten with Heidi. But the true shining star for me was Andi Arndt. She's always been one of my favorite narrators but here she proved just how good she is. She had the ability to take a character that I really wasn't all that wild about and make me find sweet and funny and endearing. Andi brought Heidi to life and infused so much emotion into her narration... big gold star for that! While this type of silly/zany humor really isn't my thing, this was still a fun, light read that was made even better by top-notch narration.

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

TOP SECRET

Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Publication date: May 7, 2019

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Format: Trade Paperback, 272 pgs

Source: Purchased

4.25 STARS

GOODREADS

LobsterShorts, 21. Jock. Secretly a science geek. Hot AF.

LobsterShorts: So. Here goes. For her birthday, my girlfriend wants…a threesome.

SinnerThree: Then you’ve come to the right hookup app.

LobsterShorts: Have you done this sort of thing before? With another guy?

SinnerThree: All the time. I’m an equal opportunity player. You?

LobsterShorts: [crickets!]

SinnerThree, 21. Finance major. Secretly a male dancer. Hot AF.

SinnerThree: Well, I’m down if you are. My life is kind of a mess right now. School, work, family stress. Oh, and I live next door to the most annoying dude in the world. I need the distraction. Are you sure you want this?

LobsterShorts: I might want it a little more than I’m willing to admit.

SinnerThree: Hey, nothing wrong with pushing your boundaries...

LobsterShorts: Tell that to my control-freak father. Anyway. What if this threesome is awkward?

SinnerThree: Then it’s awkward. It’s not like we’ll ever have to see each other again. Right? Just promise you won’t fall in love with me.LobsterShorts: Now wouldn’t that be life-changing...?

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy. Actually that should be more like: SARINA BOWEN & ELLE KENNEDY!! These two authors are wonderful apart and sheer magic together. They have an ability to create characters that I never fail to love. That held true for Keaton and Luke - two characters that could not have been more different but I cared for them both and pulled so hard for them. Starting off as fraternity brothers and enemies, their backgrounds were worlds apart but both had private struggles. When they connected on a hook-up app, without knowing one another's true identity, there was a connection and chemistry that took them both by surprise. And when they did learn who the other was? That's when the sparks really flew!

I’m just a guy, standing on a beach in nothing but his favorite pair of lobster shorts, waiting for the right man to love me.

My heart hurt for both of these guys at times. For Keaton - and the pressure he felt from his father. For Luke - because his family kept trying to drag him back down no matter how hard he fought to make his life better. Top Secret was filled with Bowen/Kennedy's signature humor and snarky banter in perfect balance with the more emotional aspect. I adored the dual POV and the ending gave me all the happy feels I was hoping for.

HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS? 

Short Take Reviews: The Flatshare, Getting Played, and Red, White & Royal Blue

THE FLATSHARE
Beth O'Leary
Publication date: May 28, 2019
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Hardcover, 325 pgs
Source: Library Loan
3.5 STARS
GOODREADS 

After a bad breakup, Tiffy Moore needs a place to live. Fast. And cheap. But the apartments in her budget have her wondering if astonishingly colored mold on the walls counts as art.

Desperation makes her open minded, so she answers an ad for a flatshare. Leon, a night shift worker, will take the apartment during the day, and Tiffy can have it nights and weekends. He’ll only ever be there when she’s at the office. In fact, they’ll never even have to meet.

Tiffy and Leon start writing each other notes – first about what day is garbage day, and politely establishing what leftovers are up for grabs, and the evergreen question of whether the toilet seat should stay up or down. Even though they are opposites, they soon become friends. And then maybe more.

But falling in love with your roommate is probably a terrible idea…especially if you've never met.

What if your roommate is your soul mate? A joyful, quirky romantic comedy, Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare is a feel-good novel about finding love in the most unexpected of ways.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

My feelings for The Flatshare run the gamut. Some things really worked for me: Tiffy's quirky personality and willingness to put herself out there, the humor which was spot-on, and the dialogue that flowed like honey. Other things, not so much: Tiffy's memory issues regarding a relationship that just ended (yes, I understand gaslighting), and Leon's passiveness. While it took me two weeks to read The Flatshare (and it's not a lengthy book), I don't think it was the book. (It's not you, it's me. Really.) There was a lot to enjoy and I loved seeing Tiffy and Leon's relationship evolve from flatmates who communicated via post-it notes, to friends, and then tentatively moving towards more. I adored Richie, and his story, along with the search for Johnny White, converged with all the rest to make an enjoyable story with (mostly) sweet, funny, and lovable characters.

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE

Casey McQuiston

Publication date: May 14, 2019

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, LGBT

Format: Trade Paperback, 421 pgs

Source: Purchased

4.25 STARS

GOODREADS

When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius—his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There's only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.

Heads of family, state, and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: staging a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instragramable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations and begs the question: Can love save the world after all? Where do we find the courage, and the power, to be the people we are meant to be? And how can we learn to let our true colors shine through?

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Red, White & Royal Blue had hype. I'm talking serious, over the moon, crazy-insane hype. And while this wasn't a 5-star read for me (gasp!) I still enjoyed it from start to finish. Mainly because there was just so much to love. Brilliant yet sometimes remarkably clueless Alex, oh so precious Henry, a heart stopping first kiss, text messages that were both hilarious and revealing, the most clever/snarky/witty banter ever, young women who were brilliant and ambitious, politics and campaigns, laugh out loud moments (killer turkeys!), angst, scandal, romantic declarations, epic speeches, and so much more. My main quibble is that it felt overly long and at 400+ pages the pacing did sometimes lag. Even so, RW&RB was incredibly smart and the perfect blend of serious issues and swoony rom-com. 

GETTING PLAYED
Emma Chase
Publication date: June 11, 2019
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook, 6 hrs 57 min
Source: Purchased
4.25 STARS
GOODREADS 

Dean Walker is all about keeping life simple. He's effortlessly talented and intelligent - spending his summers playing drums in the local band and the rest of the year teaching high school in the same Jersey town where he grew up. He likes his love life simple too, enjoying the commitment-free hook-ups his good looks and sexy charm have always made oh so easy.

Then he meets Lainey Burrows. And his simple, easy life gets turned upside down.

One wild one-night stand was all it was ever supposed to be, so Lainey is shocked when she discovers that her sizzling summer fling is also her son's new math teacher. But that's nothing compared to the most unexpected twist of all - their hot hook-up left Lainey knocked up, and now they're about to become parents. Together.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

I tend to forget about Emma Chase when I think about my favorite go-to authors but then I read another one by her and I instantly think, "Oh yeah, this is why I love her books so much!" In Getting Played, Chase created two main characters that were so incredibly likable. Lainey and Dean were stable, intelligent adults who (shock!) acted like adults. When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, there was no big drama or hysterics - just two adults who actually talked and listened, were honest with each other, and worked together instead of running away. Imagine that! It was so easy to care for these two people and pull for them. Lainey's teenage son was sweet and I really enjoyed the interactions between him and Dean. I can see myself listening to this one again and again when I'm in the mood for a swoony/sexy/sweet feel-good romance.

HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THESE BOOKS? 

Short-Take Reviews | The YA Edition: Hope and Other Punch Lines and Birthday

HOPE AND OTHER PUNCH LINES
Julie Buxbaum
Publication date: May 7, 2019
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary
Format: Hardcover
Source: Gifted by Sam (We Live and Breathe Books)



GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Abbi Hope Goldstein is like every other teenager, with a few smallish exceptions: her famous alter ego, Baby Hope, is the subject of internet memes, she has asthma, and sometimes people spontaneously burst into tears when they recognize her. Abbi has lived almost her entire life in the shadow of the terrorist attacks of September 11. On that fateful day, she was captured in what became an iconic photograph: in the picture, Abbi (aka "Baby Hope") wears a birthday crown and grasps a red balloon; just behind her, the South Tower of the World Trade Center is collapsing.

Now, fifteen years later, Abbi is desperate for anonymity and decides to spend the summer before her seventeenth birthday incognito as a counselor at Knights Day Camp two towns away. She's psyched for eight weeks in the company of four-year-olds, none of whom have ever heard of Baby Hope.

Too bad Noah Stern, whose own world was irrevocably shattered on that terrible day, has a similar summer plan. Noah believes his meeting Baby Hope is fate. Abbi is sure it's a disaster. Soon, though, the two team up to ask difficult questions about the history behind the Baby Hope photo. But is either of them ready to hear the answers? 

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Sixteen-year-old Abbi has lived her life in the shadow of 9/11 – not only as a survivor but as the subject of a famed photograph from that day. She longs to escape the notoriety even as she is dealing with health issues that stem from her exposure to the fall-out on that terrible day. She meets Noah while working as a summer camp counselor and is drawn into his project to track down everyone from the famous photograph. What starts as unwilling participation turns into a genuine friendship – and possibly more – when Noah and Abbi spend more and more time together. Their friendship was so genuine and the dual POV worked so well at showing how they both navigated the new relationship. Noah’s own connection to 9/11 broke my heart and, as truths were revealed, I definitely shed some tears. The secondary characters were stellar – including Abbi’s parents and grandmother, Noah’s friend Jack, and the other survivors from the photograph – and they each added so much depth and realism to the story.

I’m so, so tired of always worrying about our world splitting into a before and an after again.

A book whose narrative focuses heavily on 9/11 can be an emotional look at a tragic and defining moment in U.S. history – or a disrespectful plot device used to play on emotions. Thankfully, Buxbaum’s Hope and Other Punch Lines falls into the former category and she writes about 9/11 and its aftermath with respect and gravitas. This was a moving and unforgettable story. (So many thanks to Sam for sending me her hard copy of this book. A book is always a special gift and this one was truly a stand-out. Thank you, Sam!)

4.5/5 STARS

BIRTHDAY

Meredith Russo

Publication date: May 21, 2019

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library Loan

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Two kids, Morgan and Eric, are bonded for life after being born on the same day at the same time. We meet them once a year on their shared birthday as they grow and change: as Eric figures out who he is and how he fits into the world, and as Morgan makes the difficult choice to live as her true self. Over the years, they will drift apart, come together, fight, make up, and break up—and ultimately, realize how inextricably they are a part of each other.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Oh, this book. I think it broke me. I had almost decided not to review it because, to put it bluntly, the story made me sad. And while I’m glad I read it I wasn’t sure I wanted to dwell on it or discuss it. But I can’t quit thinking about it so here we are. Birthday follows Eric and Morgan from the ages 13 through 18. We see their lives only once a year, on their shared birthday. They’ve been best friends since birth, but that friendship is tested as they both deal with changes within their families and within themselves. These two kids went through hell, much of it silently and all alone, and my heart broke over and over again. Morgan was going through the heartbreaking process of coming to terms with her gender identity – struggling with the fact that being a boy did not fit and was an uncomfortable mantle she had to carry. The chapters from Morgan’s point of view were filled with so much emotional pain and anguish that it was actually difficult to read. I wanted so badly to gather Morgan up in a hug and make the pain go away. Living in a small, rural Tennessee town, with a high school football coach for a father only added to her turmoil. Eric had his own troubles and even though his wealthy family looks stable from the outside, inside those walls he lives with a controlling and verbally abusive father.

I don't know if anyone will love me the way that I really am.

Birthday dealt with some serious topics – death of a parent, grief, suicide attempt, homophobia, transphobia – and it is to Russo’s credit that these characters felt so lifelike that I ached for them like I did. Morgan’s journey, in particular, made a real impact and brought me to tears more than once. This is an important book. And while I don’t know that I can say I enjoyed it (because it weighed on me so heavily), I am so glad I read it.

4.5/5 STARS


HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS? 

Short-Take Reviews: Getting Schooled and Gentleman Sinner

GETTING SCHOOLED
Emma Chase
Publication date: June 26, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Format: Kindle
Source: OverDrive app

⭐⭐⭐⭐

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Garrett Daniels has this whole life thing figured out.
The cocky, charismatic former high school star quarterback is an idolized football coach and "cool" teacher in the hometown where he's not just a golden boy—he's platinum. He has good friends, a great house on the lake, and the best damn sidekick a man could ask for: Snoopy, the albino beagle.

Then...Callie Carpenter comes home.
And knocks him right on his tight end zone.

Callie has a pretty sweet life herself...on the other side of the country. But circumstances—that she'd prefer to never speak of again—have brought her back home, helping out her parents and substitute teaching at her old high school.

Now she's facing bickering, raging hormones, constant gossip, awkward weirdness, and drama galore...and that's just the teachers.

When Garrett offers to show his former high school sweetheart the secrets of his winning teacher ways, Callie jumps at the chance—and then has to stop herself from jumping him.

Good friends are all they can ever be.
Or...these teachers just might end up getting schooled—hard—by love.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Sometimes I want a romance without all the drama and all the angst. And that’s what Emma Chase delivers.  Garrett and Callie were the real deal in high school – young but very much in love. Circumstances had them parting ways while attending college across the country from one another, but when Callie returned home to help care for her parents it was obvious from the start that all the old feelings were still there. I loved so many aspects of this story: Callie and Garrett were incredibly likable, the humor was so on point that I was literally laughing out loud, the second-chance romance aspect was spot-on, and I loved the way both Garrett and Callie were so committed to their teaching careers and their students. There were a few unexpected emotional moments that were woven into the story perfectly but for the most part this was 100% feel-good romance.

4/5 STARS

GENTLEMAN SINNER

Jodi Ellen Malpas

Publication date: February 5, 2019 

Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Source: Library Loan

⭐⭐⭐

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Izzy White knows of the darkness in this world. After all, she escaped it long ago. Determined not to let her past beat her, Izzy has a secure, stable life with a job she loves in nursing. But one act of kindness will completely upend everything she's so carefully built-putting her right back in the crosshairs of danger she's been so desperate to avoid.

When Theo Kane shows up like a knight in shining armor, Izzy can't help thinking she's been saved from one threat and exposed to another. His imposing physique, the harsh lines of his face, and the wariness of everyone who comes close are just a few clues to Theo Kane's notorious reputation. The man is positively terrifying. But with Izzy, he's tender and a complete gentleman, and her fascination with the mysterious beast of a man becomes too powerful for her to walk away.

As Theo's demons come to light, running becomes even more impossible. And yet staying together could doom them both.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

This was one of those okay reads that was entertaining enough while I was reading it but ultimately not anything particularly new or memorable. Theo saves Izzy from an attack and then proceeds to hardcore pursue her. An intense relationship develops but Izzy has a past she won’t reveal and Theo has secrets he won’t discuss. Oooh, drama! Then there are all the Fifty Shades similarities. Theo is a damaged anti-hero that cannot stand to be touched, he’s uber-rich and has a driver/bodyguard, he’s all stalkery and even showed up at Izzy’s girls getaway (from London to Las Vegas) to keep tabs on her after only knowing her for a matter of days, the relationship got intense quickly, etcetera, etcetera. Even so, the over the top drama kept the story moving and the craziness was entertaining. All in all, it felt like a story that’s been told many times before so I’m not sure I’ll be picking up more from Malpas. 

3/5 STARS


HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS? 

Short Take Reviews: The Ranty Edition

Burn For Me (Hidden Legacy #1)
Ilona Andrews
Publication date: October 28, 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world. 

This book has crazy high rating on GoodReads (4.35). And I was excited to read it. Find a new urban fantasy series to get into. But that didn't happen. To be fair, I don't think it's really the story. I lay 90% of the blame on the narration. It was BAD. And I really, REALLY disliked it. And basically, it ruined the book for me.

This was the first time I encountered Renee Raudman's narration and I've gotta say: not a fan. To start, there's the twangy country accents. Yes, the story is set in Texas but it's in metropolitan Houston, not hillbilly central. Then there was the voice for the main character's grandmother - an active woman who was maybe sixty and yet sounded like a frail little grandma at age 101. It was just such a cliched "little old lady" voice that it was like something out of a cartoon. In fact, most of the characters sounded years beyond their stated age - including Rogan, who sounded like a crusty old cowboy instead of a 30 year old badass.

The story was okay but a mostly unsatisfying. Nevada tried to bring in a fugitive while verbally sparring with Rogan. In one sentence she was referring to him as a psychopath, in the next she was drooling over his abs. *eye roll* But it was the narration that made Nevada unlikable, every character sound decades older than they were, and as if every Texan was a country bumpkin. Ugh. I could switch to the books instead of the audio and continue on, but I'm afraid the bad experience with this one has pretty much ruined the series for me.

2/5 STARS

This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story
Kheryn Callender
Publication date: October 30, 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Nathan Bird doesn’t believe in happy endings.

Although he’s the ultimate film buff and an aspiring screenwriter, Nate’s seen the demise of too many relationships to believe that happy endings exist in real life.

Playing it safe to avoid a broken heart has been his MO ever since his father died and left his mom to unravel—but this strategy is not without fault. His best-friend-turned-girlfriend-turned-best-friend-again, Florence, is set on making sure Nate finds someone else. And in a twist that is rom-com-worthy, someone does come along: Oliver James Hernández, his childhood best friend.

After a painful mix-up when they were little, Nate finally has the chance to tell Ollie the truth about his feelings. But can Nate find the courage to pursue his own happily ever after?  

Oh, the high hopes I had for this one! It's contemporary, it's YA, it had a synopsis that hooked me, my trusted book buddy gave it 4 stars. But no, I have no love for this set of miserable characters.

Main character Nate was thoroughly unlikable. He was moody and taciturn. He was standoffish and treated his friends poorly, often to the point of being intentionally hurtful. Worse, he knew what he was doing and did it anyway. Yes, he was dealing with a recent break-up (and losing his father as a child) but I couldn't see how any of it excused his behavior.

He "best friend" (ha, some friend!) and ex-girlfriend Flo was horrible. She cheated on him when they were together and then had the audacity to insist he be friends with her new girlfriend. WT-actual-F? And when he showed any emotion about her cheating, she copped an attitude. When he showed interest in Ollie, she got mad and quit speaking to him. Note to Nate: this person is not your friend!

The only one I actually liked was poor Ollie. And I felt like telling him to run-don't-walk back to Santa Fe and ditch these toxic people.

They argued, they gave each other the silent treatment, they made up. Rinse and repeat. I'd had enough.

DNF @ 192 pages


WHAT'S THE LAST BOOK YOU DNF'D?

Short Take Reviews: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, Someone I Used to Know, More Than We Can Tell

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
Mackenzi Lee
Publication date: June 27, 2017
Genres: Young Adult, Historical, LGBT

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores. 

My first thought when finishing The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue? Why did I wait so long to read this?! Because I totally enjoyed this historical tale that reads like an 18th century road trip. In Monty, Lee managed to create a character who was completely self-absorbed, privileged, and a drunken rake, and yet still totally lovable. Monty's flippant wit and sarcasm hid a darker private life and I loved the evolution of his character over the course of the story. And then there was precious Percy who I adored. Percy is thoughtful and sensitive and has his own set of challenges as a biracial young man in 1700's England. There was never a dull moment and how could there be in a story that managed to seamlessly weave together action, adventure, romance, pirates, history, feminism, humor, and so much more. I switched between reading and listening and the audio narration is perfection so you can't go wrong no matter how you choose to enjoy this one. The Gentleman's Guide is a fantastically good time.

4.25/5 STARS

Someone I Used to Know
Patty Blount
Publication date: August 7, 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

It's been two years since the night that changed Ashley's life. Two years since she was raped by her brother's teammate. And a year since she sat in a court and watched as he was given a slap on the wrist sentence. But the years have done nothing to stop the pain.

It's been two years of hell for Derek. His family is totally messed up and he and his sister are barely speaking. He knows he handled it all wrong. Now at college, he has to come to terms with what happened, and the rape culture that he was inadvertently a part of that destroyed his sister's life.

When it all comes to a head at Thanksgiving, Derek and Ashley have to decide if their relationship is able to be saved. And if their family can ever be whole again. 

Someone I Used to Know is a powerful story of one girl's fight to move from victim to survivor after being raped by a classmate. What I appreciated most was that Blount chose not to focus solely on Ashley but also told her brother's story. Derek had to come to terms with his own participation in the "game" that was a tradition for the football team and led to his sister's rape. Derek's story was every bit as moving and compelling as Ashley's as he struggled with guilt and his own perceptions and actions. Ashley was a character who was easy to pull for and admire because she refused to be silenced and would not allow her fear to stop her from demanding change. Blount takes a hard look at rape culture without ever becoming preachy. Shining a spotlight on the 'boys will be boys' mentality, victim blaming, locker room talk, and overtly sexual advertising, Someone I Used to Know does an amazing job of showcasing the effects of sexual assault on not just the victim but family, friends, and the community. While not always an easy read (Ashley's memories of the rape interspersed throughout the book are enough to make you heartsick), this is one that should be in every school and every library.

4.25/5 STARS

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.

More Than We Can Tell (Letters to the Lost #2)
Brigid Kemmerer
Publication date: March 6, 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay...until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.

Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid.

When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways they never expected. This must-read story will once again have readers falling for Brigid Kemmerer’s emotional storytelling. 

Rev was a stand-out secondary character when I read Letters to the Lost* so I was thrilled to get his story in More Than We Can Tell. And I was not disappointed. Learning more about Rev's past was heartbreaking but what was equally sad was how his past continued to impact his present. His earlier years with his father were filled with physical and emotional abuse, and twisted interpretations of love and religion. Now his father is contacting him and trying to reassert his control and Rev's life is thrown into turmoil. Despite the amazing support system provided by his adoptive parents, Rev hides how tormented and emotionally fragile he actually is. New friend Emma is able to provide an impartial point of view even while she is dealing with issues of her own. While I didn't connect with Emma as strongly as I did with Rev (her naivete often left me frustrated), I was still drawn into her story and was invested when things took a turn into scary territory. But it's Rev that captured my heart and will stay with me. This kind, introspective, mature, and self-aware young man made a huge impression on me and is without a doubt one of my favorite characters ever.

*More Than We Can Tell takes place in the same universe as Letters to the Lost, and features many of the same characters, but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.

4.5 STARS

Short Take Reviews: M/M Insta-Lust and Paranormal Insta-Love

Leveled (Saints of Denver #0.5) by Jay Crownover
Read: November 2017
GoodReads

SYNOPSIS:

Orlando Frederick knows what it is to be leveled by pain. Instead of focusing on his own, he’s made it his mission to help others: sports stars, wounded war vets, survivors of all kinds. But when Dom, a rugged, damaged, sinfully attractive cop, makes his way into Lando’s physical therapy practice, he might be the biggest challenge yet. Lando loved one stubborn man before and barely survived the fallout. He’s not sure he can do it again.

Dominic Voss is a protector. The police badge he wears is not only his job, it’s his identity, so when he’s sidelined because of an injury, the only thing he cares about is getting back on the force. He expects Lando to mend his body, he just doesn’t realize the trainer will also have him working toward a hell of a lot more. As attraction simmers and flares, Dom sees that Lando needs repair of his own...if only the man will let him close enough to mend what's broken.

MY THOUGHTS:

Having listened to all six of the Marked Men books on audio, I was excited to continue with the Saints of Denver series. I’ve seen Crownover refer to Leveled as the bridge between the two series so there was no way I was going to pass it up.

Dom and Lando could not have been more different – Dom’s rough-edged cop to Lando’s polished exterior – but they couldn’t have been better matched.  There was no insta-love here but the insta-lust was off the charts. I loved that Dom was so open with his feelings for Lando, even in the face of Lando’s hesitancy. Having experienced a great loss, and living with guilt, Lando was understandably gun-shy about opening himself up to a new relationship. And the danger involved in Dom’s job became a major factor in their story. Both guys were totally endearing in their own way and it warmed my heart to watch as they drew closer together.

Even though this clocks in at just 220 pages, the story never felt rushed and their relationship developed in such a natural way. It wasn’t without its bumps along the way, but I loved seeing how these two worked their way through past hurts and current challenges to find their own happy ending.

4/5 STARS

  

Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians #1) by Dianne Duvall
Read: November 2017
GoodReads

SYNOPSIS:

Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control…

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible—when it means forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect.

MY THOUGHTS:

Darkness Dawns was recommended to me and I was excited for a good paranormal romance. The aspects I enjoyed were tempered by things that made me roll my eyes (a lot) but overall the scales tipped in its favor.

First, the good. I enjoyed both main characters. Sarah was no damsel in distress and showed real backbone in scary situations (Fighting off attacking vampires? She jumped in the fray. Girl power!).  Roland was a deliciously tortured hero/Immortal Guardian who led a lonely existence. Their meeting, when Sarah saved Roland from an ambush attack, paved the way for plenty of action. A vampire with a vendetta and his many minions were relentless in their attacks and created plenty of drama and adventure. The secondary characters were a truly interesting lot and knowing their stories are told in future books was a bonus.

Now for the not so good. The insta-love was in full-effect. I mean, a couple days pass and they are hard-core ready to pledge their lives to each other. I get the whole going through extreme situations together but still… no. Also, the number of convenient coincidences defied belief and made for all-too-easy resolutions. It was like, seriously? I’m supposed to just go with this, huh? Lastly, and this may seem minor, but the word count devoted to organic this and organic that and the evils of chemically treated food became obnoxious. One, it quickly felt preachy, and two, it seemed pointless and out of place considering the circumstances.

Even with the issues there was enough here for me to enjoy the story overall and I’m sure I’ll continue the series at some point.

3.25/5 STARS

HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS?

Short Take Reviews: The Assassin Edition

Killing Sarai (In the Company of Killers #1) by J.A. Redmerski

Read: July 2016
GoodReads | Amazon

SYNOPSIS

Sarai was only 14 when her mother uprooted her to live in Mexico with a notorious drug lord. Over time she forgot what it was like to live a normal life, but she never let go of her hope to escape the compound where she has been held for the past nine years.

Victor is a cold-blooded assassin who, like Sarai, has known only death and violence since he was a young boy. When Victor arrives at the compound to collect details and payment for a hit, Sarai sees him as her only opportunity for escape. But things don't go as planned and instead of finding transport back to Tucson, she finds herself free from one dangerous man and caught in the clutches of another.

MY THOUGHTS

Killing Sarai is one that had been on my shelf for ages and by the time I read it all I could think was, "Why did I wait so long?" Because Killing Sarai was an exciting, gritty, slightly dark, and entertaining ride.

Sarai and Victor were both characters who had been denied a normal childhood and had to adjust and adapt to their situations. Both were desensitized to the violence that was part of their lives and it made them truly unique characters. Sarai constantly surprised me with her ability to cope and carry on. She was equal parts vulnerable and completely kick-ass. Victor was a total enigma. As a killer for hire, he was almost without emotion - but with Sarai he found himself straying from his instincts and helping her, putting him in a precarious position with the organization he worked for.  

Killing Sarai is not a romance novel and Victor and Sarai's relationship is proof of that. There was no sweet talk, no swoony moments, no typical romance tropes. An attraction slowly builds but these are two damaged people who have no history of kindness or compassion and no reason to trust. Overall, Killing Sarai was truly a wild ride filled with action, suspense, and characters that broke the mold. And I can't wait to continue the series.

4/5 STARS

  

Aim (Circle of Justice #3) by L.P. Dover

Read: August 2017
GoodReads | Amazon

SYNOPSIS

When someone asks what I do for a living, I answer it plain and simple... I'm a hunter. I hunt the dregs of society and I'm very damn good at it.

Do I like to kill people? No, but it's part of my job.

I'm Ian Chandler, FBI agent and a member of the Circle of Justice, an organization of justice seeking vigilantes. My mission is to solve a string of "accidental" hiking deaths occurring around my Wyoming town. When Grace Myers - a woman who's been missing for days - shows up on my land, it turns out she's the key to it all. Someone is hunting her, and I make it my duty to keep her safe.

However, the deeper I get into the case, the more dangerous it becomes; especially now that I've fallen for the woman I have to protect. If hunting is the game, I won't fail. I always hit my mark.

MY THOUGHTS

As much as I wanted to sit back and enjoy this romantic suspense featuring an FBI agent/assassin, it just didn't work for me. While Aim is the third entry in a new-to-me series, that isn't even what posed an issue. I'm sure reading the first two books would have provided more insight into the secondary characters and their history, but I had no problem understanding the dynamics between everyone and how they interacted. Instead, it was the believability factor that was seriously lacking.

I actually liked the overall premise and the sinister ploy behind Grace's abduction. There were some seriously twisted bad guys at work here. Unfortunately it was in the execution where it fell apart for me. So much of what happened seemed so implausible. I tried and tried to get past the unlikely events (and even unlikelier reactions) and just go with it... but I couldn't do it. After being abducted and facing a life-threatening situation, Grace seemed to bounce back in the blink of an eye and suffer zero after-effects. (Wouldn't everyone play a truth or dare card game the next day where the loser has to strip? Seems reasonable, right?)  The "investigation" into the disappearances progressed all too easily and there was never a misstep or dead-end. Everything just fell into place with relative ease. Lastly, the relationship between Grace and Ian seemed to come out of nowhere. There was no build-up, just *bam* instant relationship. It left me confused and wondering if I had somehow skipped several chapters and missed all the development. I was unable to feel any connection at all between them.

I will say that I am decidedly in the minority in my feelings for Aim. It has a 4.6 rating at Amazon and 4.39 at GoodReads so clearly most people are loving this one. Unfortunately it just didn't work for me.

2.5/5 STARS

Are you a fan of romantic suspense?

Short Take Reviews: Until Friday Night and Under the Lights by Abbi Glines

Until Friday Night (The Field Party #1) by Abbi Glines

Read: July 2016
GoodReads | Amazon

SYNOPSIS

To everyone who knows him, West Ashby has always been that guy: the cocky, popular, way-too-handsome-for-his-own-good football god who led Lawton High to the state championships. But while West may be Big Man on Campus on the outside, on the inside he's battling the grief that comes with watching his father slowly die of cancer.

Two years ago, Maggie Carleton's life fell apart when her father murdered her mother. And after she told the police what happened, she stopped speaking and hasn't spoken since. Even the move to Lawton, Alabama couldn't draw Maggie back out. So she stayed quiet, keeping her sorrow and her fractured heart hidden away.

As Wests's pain becomes too much to handle, he knows he needs to talk to someone about his father - so in the dark shadows of a post-game party, he opens up to the one girl who he knows won't tell anyone else.

West expected that talking about his dad would bring some relief, or at least a flood of emotions he couldn't control. But he never expected the quiet new girl to reply, to reveal a pain even deeper than his own - or for them to form a connection so strong that he couldn't ever let her go.

MY THOUGHTS

Abbi's books have a kind of simplistic ease to them that I usually appreciate. I won't call them guilty pleasures (because I refuse to feel guilty about anything I read) but when I want some good brain candy, Abbi is my go-to author. While I had some pretty serious issues with the male characters in this start to The Field Party series, it was still an enjoyable read filled with the typical Abbi Glines style: fast story line, quick-moving relationships, and plenty of angst and drama. 

Maggie was living with her aunt and uncle after a traumatic incident and was happy to fade into the background both at home and at school. West was drowning in grief while watching his father slowly succumb to cancer and keeping it all from his friends. In Maggie, West saw someone who understood his grief and they began a friendship that quickly developed into something more. Despite my issues with West's behavior, it was easy to be drawn in by the connection between he and Maggie and want to see them both heal and find a way to move past the grief and pain holding them back.

But the issue I just couldn't overlook? West and his friends are all disgustingly sexist. These high school seniors are revered as football gods and they certainly use their status. They talk about girls as objects to be used and treat them that way, too. They hooked up with anything in a skirt and then trash-talked the girls for being easy. WTH?! (Naturally the virginal Maggie was exempt from this kind of treatment. Every guy fawned over her and generally acted like cavemen whenever she was around, and every girl was mean to her.)

Until Friday Night was full of tropes but, even while I was rolling my eyes at some atrocious behavior, I was totally hooked. I loved Maggie's aunt and uncle, there were some moving moments between West and his parents, and for the most part this was just plain fun.

3.5/5 STARS

  

Under the Lights (The Field Party #2) by Abbi Glines

Read: July 2017
GoodReads | Amazon

SYNOPSIS

Willa can't erase the bad decisions of her past that led her down the path she's on now. But she can fight for forgiveness from her family. And she can protect herself by refusing to let anyone else get close to her.

High school quarterback and town golden boy Brady used to be the best of friends with Willa - she even had a crush on him when they were kids. But that's all changed now: her life choices have made her a different person from the girl he used to know.

Gunner used to be friends with Willa and Brady, too. He too is larger than life and a high school football star - not to mention that his family basically owns the town of Lawton. He loves his life, and doesn't care about anyone except himself. But Willa is the exception - and he understands the girl she's become in a way no one else can.

As secrets come to light and hearts are broken, these former childhood friends must face the truth about growing up and falling in love... even if it means losing each other forever.

MY THOUGHTS

Willa returned to the town of Lawton after several years away. With references to a terrible incident, which resulted in Willa spending time in a detention center, Willa's mother has now sent her back to Lawton to live with her beloved grandmother. There she encounters her childhood friends, Brady and Gunner, but the years of playing in the tree house are long gone and instead new relationships are formed and tested.

Willa was bogged down with guilt over a tragic accident that culminated in the loss of her best friend and her being sent to a correctional facility. Her grandmother was determined to keep her on the straight and narrow and that included keeping her somewhat isolated - doing schoolwork online at home instead of attending the high school. She also warned Willa against rekindling her old friendships with Gunner and Brady. It was obvious her grandmother meant well, but she was hard on Willa and it bothered me that she never once asked Willa about the events that brought her there. She simply believed the worst and never questioned it. And Willa, feeling so guilty already, accepted it as her just punishment. She was a mature girl who was desperate to make her grandmother proud and prove herself. It went a long way in making her a likable character. 

Unfortunately Gunner was a repeat of the misogynistic jerks that Glines introduced in Until Friday Night. He was privileged, ill-tempered, and self-absorbed. A lousy father and family drama worthy of a soap opera was used to excuse his behavior. Brady, supposedly the "good guy" of the bunch, pursued Willa while continuing to use another girl for sex. He was well aware he was using her but he sometimes felt bad about it, so that excused his behavior.

As with the first book in the series, I was drawn into the story and kept turning the pages despite being beyond annoyed by the blatant sexism. I liked Willa, lapped up the juicy family secrets, and was pulling for some serious redemption. If you love high school/family drama, and can overlook some obnoxious stereotyping, this makes for a pretty fun read.

3.25/5 STARS

Have you read The Field Party series?