Review: Breathe by Abbi Glines

Breathe by Abbi Glines

Series: Sea Breeze #1

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: June 4, 2013

Format: Trade Paperback

Source: Purchased

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Sadie White's summer job is at the beach, but she won't be working as a lifeguard. Since her mom is pregnant and refuses to work, Sadie will be taking over as a domestic servant for a wealthy family on a nearby island.

When the family arrives at their summer getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie were normal - if she hadn't spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house - maybe she'd be excited about working for a rock star. But she's not.

Even though Sadie isn't impressed by Jax's fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax, but he fights his attraction: relationships never work in his world, and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more. Yet as the summer stretches on, Jax's passion leaves him breathless - and Sadie feels like his only source of oxygen.

Can their love overcome the disparity of their lifestyles? One breath at a time, they're going to find out.

Breathe had me rolling my eyes (a lot) but when it comes to Abbi Glines I just can't help myself.

Sadie is sweet, beautiful, and the acting adult in her house since her mother is a child-like flake who can't be bothered to be a grown-up and do things like hold down a job. Sadie is expected to work her mom's domestic help job all summer long while mom kicks back at home because she's pregnant and it's hot and miserable. So naturally I already can't stand the mother.

Sadie quickly learns she's working at the summer getaway home of teen heart throb Jax Stone. For a million and one reasons a relationship between them would never work but obviously it happens anyway. The insta-love is strong and the cheese factor is right up there with Velveeta. Sadie falls in line with the typical Glines female lead: drop dead gorgeous but is completely oblivious to that fact, innocent and naive, and Every. Single. Guy. is crazy in love with her. But she doesn't know it. Of course.

Jax was the typical Glines guy: caveman tendencies, beat his chest anytime someone showed interest in what was "his" (even before he and Sadie were together), and prone to grand declarations of love and how she was the very air he breathed.

But (and I say this every time), I'm still complete trash for Abbi Glines. I simply can't help myself. Yes, I recognize the writing is often crap. Yes, I recognize the formula she uses over and over. Yes, the drama and the cheesiness can be sooo overdone.. But that never seems to stop me. 

Despite it all, Sadie and Jax were both likable characters. Marcus, Sadie's friend/co-worker/side love interest, was a super nice guy (even though he ever stood a chance). And Ms. Mary, head of the household staff at Jax's house, was the kind motherly figure that Sadie never had. 

Breathe was typical Abbi Glines fare (and I actually mean that in a good way) that puts a Cinderella-ish spin on this girl with hard life falls in love with rich and famous celebrity tale. And obviously I'll be inhaling the entire series. 

3/5 STARS

Do you have a certain author you love - even though 

you may have issues with their writing style?

Cover Reveal + Giveaway! Brave by Jennifer L. Armentrout

If you've been around here any time at all you know how much I love Jennifer L. Armentrout. She's one of my favorite authors and one of my *very* few auto-buy authors. I tend to inhale (and love) everything she writes and the Wicked Trilogy is no exception. 

BRAVE, the final book in the trilogy, is set to release this December but we get our first look at the cover today. Take a look at this beauty...

Ivy Morgan hasn't been feeling like herself lately. Not like anyone can blame her. After all, being held captive by a psychotic fae prince hell-bent on permanently opening the gates to the Otherworld is bound to leave some mental scars.

It’s more than that, though. Something dark and insidious is spreading throughout Ivy, more powerful than she could ever imagine... and it’s coming between her and the man she’s fallen deeply in love with, elite Order member Ren Owens.

Ren would do anything to keep Ivy safe. Anything. But when he makes a life altering choice for her, the fallout of his act has far reaching consequences that threaten to tear their lives apart.

If Ivy is going to have any hope of surviving this, she must put aside the hurt and betrayal she feels, and work with not only those she loves, but with an enemy she would rather kill than ever trust. War is coming, and it soon becomes clear that what Ivy and Ren thought they knew about the Order, themselves, and even their enemies, has been nothing but a cluster of dangerous, deadly lies. Ivy knows she must be more than just brave to save those she loves--and, ultimately, to save herself.

Because behind ever evil fae Prince, there’s a Queen…

BRAVE

The Wicked Trilogy, Book #3

Releases December 11, 2017

Available formats: Paperback (U.S./Canada) and E-book

PRE-ORDER NOW!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fwiarG

*Amazon is the only retailer with a pre-order link at this time.

VIRTUAL SIGNING!

To celebrate the upcoming release of BRAVE (book 3 in the Wicked Saga), Jennifer is offering an exclusive virtual signing! Through this virtual signing, you will be able to order SIGNED & PERSONALIZED copies of WICKED, TORN, and BRAVE!

And best of all -- This is OPEN INTERNATIONALLY! 

Virtual Signing opens 9/21/2017 at 11 AM (EST)

Virtual Signing ends 11/17/2017

Open Internationally

Use this link for more information and to submit your order:

http://www.apollyconevent.com/jla-brave-virtualsigning/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES 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, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Website: https://jenniferlarmentrout.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLArmentrout 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_l_armentrout/ 

Release Day! Dear, Bridget by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

 

AVAILABLE NOW!

Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | 

Google Play | Amazon paperback

Dear Bridget,

I’m writing this letter because it’s highly doubtful I’ll ever garner the courage to say this to your face.

So, here goes.

We’re totally wrong for each other. You’re the proper single mum with a good head on your shoulders. I’m just the carefree British doctor passing through town and temporarily living in your converted garage until I head back to England.

But here’s the thing… for some bloody reason, I can’t stop thinking about you in very inappropriate ways.
I want you.

The only reason I’m even admitting all of this to you right now is because I don’t believe it’s one-sided. I notice your eyes when you look at me, too. And as crass as I appear when we’re joking around about sex, my attraction to you is not a joke.

So, what’s the purpose of this note? I guess it’s a reminder that we’re adults, that sex is healthy and natural, and that you can find me just through the door past the kitchen. More specifically, it’s to let you know that I’m leaving said door cracked open from now on in case you’d like to visit me in the middle of the night sometime.

No questions asked.

Think about it.

Or don’t.

Whatever you choose.

It’s doubtful I’ll even end up sliding this letter under your door anyway.

--Simon

     

★★★★

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author of thirteen novels. With over a million books sold, her titles have placed on the New York Times Bestseller list seventeen times. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 12-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 10-year-old boy. Penelope, her husband, and kids reside in Rhode Island. Facebook Fan Group | Facebook | Website |Twitter | Instagram 

Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times Bestselling author. With more than a million and a half books sold, her titles have appeared in over eighty Bestseller lists and are currently translated in seventeen languages. She lives in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six. 
Website | Facebook Fan Group | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The Sunday Post #73

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's a chance to share news - a post to recap the past week on your blog, 

showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is

coming up on your blog in the week ahead. You can find the info here:

Sunday Post Meme

• Hurricane Irma aftermath is in full effect. Thankfully, we made it through with no real damage. We lost power for about 18 hours. TV, phone and internet were out for 2-3 days. Overall, we were very, very lucky and we are very thankful. Unfortunately others were severely impacted as there was historic flooding in my city. A lot of loss of homes and property. It's heartbreaking to see .

BEFORE

AFTER

• Thanks to everyone who commented and/or messaged me last week. It was much appreciated. 

• Got less reading done than you would imagine since my parents were at my house for the duration of the storm. 

• It was only a three day work week (I was at home Monday and Tuesday due to the storm) so that made for a seriously busy three days at the office. I came home so tired every night.

•  Met my sister for lunch yesterday and had such a great time. We sat there for over 3 hours and just talked. Can't remember the last time we did that. 😊

Wednesday, September 13
Sneak Peek:
Dear Bridget, I Want You by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

Friday, September 15
Review:
Our Broken Pieces by Sarah White

       

       

WHAT I READ IN THE LAST WEEK:

Royal Pain - Tracy Wolff

WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING: 

We Now Return to Regular Life - Martin Wilson
Bossman (AUDIO) - Vi Keeland

eARC FOR REVIEW:

A Messy, Beautiful Life - Sara Jade Alan

How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share? 

You know I want to hear about it! :)

Review: Our Broken Pieces by Sarah White

Our Broken Pieces by Sarah White

Series: No

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: August 8, 2017

Format: eARC

Source: Provided by Publisher

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

From Wattpad phenom Sarah White comes a steamy teen romance about one girl's quest to find herself after a traumatic breakup..

The only thing worse than having your boyfriend dump you is having him dump you for your best friend. For Everly Morgan the betrayal came out of nowhere. One moment she had what seemed like the perfect high school relationship, and the next, she wanted to avoid the two most important people in her life. Every time she sees them kiss in the hallways her heart breaks a little more..

The last thing on Everly's mind is getting into another relationship, but when she meets Gabe in her therapist's waiting room she can't deny their immediate connection. Somehow he seems to understand Everly in a way that no one else in her life does, and maybe it's because Gabe also has experience grappling with issues outside his control. Just because they share so many of the same interests and there is an undeniable spark between them doesn't mean Everly wants anything more than friendship. After all, when you only barely survived your last breakup, is it really worth risking your heart again?

Everly goes into a tailspin after her high school relationship ends in betrayal. She’s lost not only her boyfriend but her best friend as well. Her vision of the perfect senior year is ruined and seeing them together at school is almost more than she can handle. Already seeing a therapist for anxiety, Everly now has new issues to tackle. Meeting Gabe in her therapists’ waiting room proves to be a turning point as they start a relationship and offer support to one another.

What I Appreciated: 
The supportive family relationships were my favorite aspect of Our Broken Pieces. Both Everly and Gabe have parents who are loving and supportive and this was a refreshing change from the usual dysfunctional (or absentee) parents in YA novels. Everly’s growth throughout the novel was showcased well and I enjoyed seeing her progress as she worked to piece together a newer and stronger sense of self.

What Left Me Wanting More: 
While Our Broken Pieces is certainly therapy-positive, at times it almost felt like a PSA for therapy. The positive aspects and outcomes of therapy (for not one, not two, but three of the characters) were delivered with a heavy hand. Our Broken Pieces could have used additional editing. Not only was the writing all telling and no showing, but repetition was an issue and became a distraction. (One example: the phrase “I can’t help…” I can’t help but blush, I can’t help but laugh, I can’t help but smile, etc. was used no fewer than fourteen times.)

Our Broken Pieces is an enjoyable YA contemporary that highlights family, relationships and mental health in a positive light.

3/5 STARS

Note: I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion of the book or the content of this review.