Friday, December 27, 2019

Review: Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins


Sweet Reckoning is the third and final book in the Sweet series. There is a fourth book, which is a companion novel told from Kaidan's POV, but this is the conclusion to the original story. 

The Nephilim are well aware of what their fathers, the Dukes/Demons, are capable of and are ready to risk their lives to rid the earth of them once and for all. Not all of the Dukes are evil, even though they must carry out their sinful work of spreading greed, lust, envy, substance abuse, etc. One of them in particular, Anna's father, has been helping to organize an alliance between some of the Neph. The other Dukes are beginning to suspect there is a traitor amongst them and begin monitoring him and all of their children very closely.

There were several twists and loop holes that were exploited in this book that greatly added to the overall enjoyment. All of the Neph still needed to be very careful, but we were able to see more of their true feelings and personalities in this book. I loved seeing the twins - Ginger and Marna, Blake, Kapano, Kaidan, and Anna all working together for good instead of evil. 

Unfortunately, there couldn't be a happily-ever-after for everyone in the series. We did lose a couple of characters along the way, which was very sad. With the Neph's new found faith and understanding that they were no longer condemned to hell, the loss wasn't nearly as painful as it could have been. They all realized they would be reunited some day.  

In addition to Kai and Anna, a few other couples emerged out of the alliance. It was great to see the Neph free to finally make their own decisions and live their lives on their own terms. If you enjoy paranormal romance, I would definitely recommend this series. 

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Review: One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus


This book has been on my TBR list since it was released back in May 2017. When I was at the library a couple of weeks ago, this was sitting prominently displayed on one of the shelves and I couldn't resist any longer. It was described as "The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars." While I haven't read Pretty Little Liars yet, I am very familiar with The Breakfast Club and loved the movie growing up.

I could definitely see the comparison with The Breakfast Club from the very beginning of the book. Five students, who seemingly couldn't be any more different from each other, end up in detention together because of something they claim is a mistake. The teacher found prohibited cell phones in their bags, which are not theirs, but he refuses to listen to them.

Simon is a smart kid who has always been sort of an outsider. When he starts an app that calls out all the indiscretions his fellow classmates have made, and identifies them by their initials, he is not only feared but hated by most of the students. 

Bronwyn is most likely going to be this year's valedictorian and has her sights set on Yale. 
Addy is the popular homecoming queen. 
Nate is on probation for dealing drugs.
Cooper is the star pitcher on the baseball team and could go pro right out of high school.

Simon ends up dying during detention and the remaining four students are now being accused of murder, but they all insist they are innocent. Unfortunately, Simon had something on all of them and planned on outing them in his next post. The police think this is motive for murder and continue questioning everyone, hoping they will crack. Their lives spiral out of control as their secrets are revealed, but they are no closer to solving the murder and are continuously under scrutiny. 

This was an excellent murder mystery. I guessed who the murderer was, but I had no idea how everything was accomplished or who else was involved. I really enjoyed the characters and seeing how these teens worked together to solve the murder when the police refused to look beyond what was obvious. They took it upon themselves to clear their names when nobody else would even give them the benefit of the doubt. 

I love murder mysteries, but there aren't too many that I have come across that are YA. I have a 14-year-old son who wouldn't like most of the YA books that I read because they appeal more to female readers. I feel like this is a great option for young boys and is something he would definitely enjoy. It is told from each of the four main characters' points of view, so the reader can see and feel how the events are impacting each of them individually. I really talked it up to my son while I was reading it, so I hope he will give it a try for his next choice book. There are so many secrets that are constantly revealed and the high school drama was never ending. I can't imagine he wouldn't get hooked.


Monday, December 2, 2019

Review: They All Fall Down by Roxanne St. Claire


Review:

At the start of the book we are introduced to Kenzie Summerall, who is your typical over achiever.  She is a member of the Latin club and is hoping to win a state Latin competition that could earn her a scholarship to the college of her dreams. She is not one of the popular girls and certainly doesn't consider herself prom queen material, so she is shocked when her name appeared on the annual "hottie list" at school.

For the past thirty years at Vienna High, the junior class boys have voted on the top ten hottest girls in their class.  Appearing on the list instantly catapulted Kenzie to the top of the social circles.  She is now being invited to parties and boys she never would have even considered to be in her league were asking her out.

The girls on the list form a sorority of sorts when they start having near death experiences.  When the first member on the list dies from an accident, they think it must be an unfortunate coincidence.  When the second girl dies, they believe they are cursed. Kenzie doesn't believe there is a curse, but instead thinks there is a serial killer who is taking advantage of this annual tradition.  Being number five on the list, she realizes she must work quickly to solve this mystery or they could all fall victim.

This was an entertaining YA murder mystery.  I never would have guessed why the "hottie list" was first established and what its role was in the larger scope of the story.  This book doesn't appear to have a sequel, but I felt like the author left a great opening to potentially continue the story with a few of the more prominent characters.

Overall, I liked the story, but it wasn't a sit on the edge of your seat type of thriller. I enjoyed all of the Latin quotes and how Roxanne tied in some ancient Roman history. I also felt like Kenzie's character grew tremendously over the course of the novel. She was very weak and timid in the beginning, but she really took charge and acted with remarkable bravery to help save and protect herself and the people she loves in the end. I also admired the fact that the author brought to light the fact that Levi, a new boy at the school the previous spring, was dyslexic. Everything anyone seemed to know about him was based on speculation and gossip, but Kenzie gave him a chance. He had a rough childhood and is trying to turn things around. As easy as it was for some of the students to blame him for the accidents because of his reputation, and the fact that he always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, Kenzie didn't buy it and even sought his help in solving the murders. These two are polar opposites, but they made a great team and a perfect couple.   

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Review: Get Even by Gretchen McNeil


Review:

Everyone knows the school bullies, mean girls, and in the case of this book, a psycho teacher, who make life at school a living hell. Don't Get Mad, DGM, is tired of their antics and decides to take matters into their own hands and "Get Even." The book takes place at an elite prep school where the administration has let bullying get out of hand. The Principal even set up his own group of enforcers known as the Maine Men, who only perpetuate the problem. 

The four girls in DGM, Bree, Olivia, Kitty, and Margot all have their own secrets and decided to join the group for very different reasons. They appear to have nothing in common, but as the story unfolds, we can see how their lives are entwined and can tell they are forming genuine friendships despite their differences.

When the target of one of DGM's recent pranks is found dead, with one of DGM's calling cards in his bloody hand, the girls realize they are in trouble. Nobody is going to believe they weren't involved. The school's administration, along with the Maine Men, set out on a witch hunt to find the members of DGM and bring them to justice. The girls decide  they need to solve this murder before they take the fall.

This was a very entertaining murder mystery, but I had no idea this would have a "to be continued" type of ending.  With a few chapters remaining, I was sure we were going to get to the bottom of everything, but we were left just as clueless as ever.  I figured Get Dirty, the next book in the series, would be a companion novel, but it is actually a continuation of this same story.  

I read a lot of murder mysteries and don't think I have ever run into a book or series in which the crime wasn't solved by the end of the book. I can only imagine how stressful that would have been to readers who finished this book shortly after it was released. They would have had an agonizing wait for the next book to be released and no clue if the crime they had just invested their time in would ever be solved, until the description for the next book was released.

I have a few other books that I need to read first, but I have already requested a copy of Get Dirty  from the library. I desperately want to know who is behind the events that have taken place before I forget all of the details and clues that have been uncovered so far.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Review: Perfect Couple by Jennifer Echols


Review:

Perfect Couple is the second book in the Superlatives series.  In the first installment, Biggest Flirts, we were introduced to Tia and two of her best friends, Harper and Kaye.  At the beginning of their senior year, the class voted and everyone was awarded a title...most athletic, most likely to succeed, etc. Harper and Brody were voted "Perfect Couple that Never Was."

Harper is the yearbook photographer and is a bit of a free spirit.  She likes to dress in retro clothing and is very creative and artistic. Brody is the star quarterback. Why the senior class voted them the perfect couple is beyond them, but it peeks their curiosity and they start hanging out. They soon discover they have great chemistry and quite a bit in common. Perhaps their classmates were right after all and they really are the perfect couple! Of course, it isn't that easy. There are a number of situations they must work through if they are going to achieve their happily-ever-after.

This is another really cute story with all of the wonderful characters we were introduced to in Biggest Flirts. We get to see how Tia and Will are doing now that they are officially a couple. We also have a chance to learn more about many of the secondary characters such as Sawyer, Noah, Quinn, and Kaye.  There is quite a bit of high school drama and the book brings up a number of topics that are relevant to teens today. With the constant peer pressure at school, it isn't always easy to be yourself. This book allows teens to explore and consider how they would act or react in various situations.  Some characters handle situations appropriately while others do not.


This was a light, entertaining, and fast read.  I can't wait to read the next installment, which appears to focus on Kaye and her superlative partner, who were voted Most Likely to Succeed.  They have been a couple for the past few years, but don't really seem to gel in my opinion.  I am really hoping she will see the light and start dating another character in the series.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Review: The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee


Review:

There is so much drama going on in this book that you can't even imagine. While it has been a while since I read the first book in the series, I did not have any difficulty jumping back into this futuristic world. Everyone's secrets were pretty much revealed in the first book and now all of our main characters have something on someone and no one is happy.  They are all scheming and plotting and trying to get the upper hand, but someone unexpected is watching and may know more than they think about their lives on the upper floors.

How high up you live in the tower is directly proportional to your financial status. Rylin and Watt are from the lower floors, but they have worked their way up the ladder socially. Rylin received a scholarship to attend the prestigious upper floor private school Avery, Leda, and Cord attend while Watt's computer skills helped him integrate into this elite circle. Rylin hopes to patch up her relationship with Cord, but he may never be able to trust her again.  

Watt and his quantum computer, Nadia, are probably my favorite characters in the book. (I'm considering Nadia a character since she has quite the personality.) I feel like his intentions are good and he simply got caught in a bad situation. As events unfolded and certain characters began working together, I felt like he and Nadia may just be the answer to many of their problems. 

Calliope is a disposable character in my opinion.  I don't really care for her or what she and her mother have been doing for years. I wish she would just move onto her next target, but it doesn't appear that will be happening anytime soon. She has been living a lie for so long that I don't think anyone will ever be able to trust her.

I actually like Avery and Atlas and feel bad for them and their situation. Unless they plan on leaving their ritzy high profile lives, I don't see any way things could work out for them. Avery needs to see life for what it is and move on. Atlas seems to have seen the light, but Avery is still in denial.

Leda is the one character that really evolved in this installment. I couldn't stand her for the majority of the book, but she really turned a new leaf towards the end and was a completely different person. She was no longer the self centered ____ she has been for the majority of the series and was actually a civilized human being. I found myself rooting for her, but I'm not sure she will ever be able to overcome her past.

The ending was unbelievable and something I never would have seen coming. I have no idea who is behind the events that unfolded and I can't wait to read the last book in this series to find out.  I read the Thousandth floor as soon as it was released and got hit with the one year wait between books. I ended up waiting until the entire series had been published before picking up book two to avoid this agonizing situation once again. Now I can jump right into the final book to see how everything unfolds.  

Friday, November 8, 2019

Review: Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig


Goodreads Overview:

Teenage socialite Margo Manning leads a dangerous double life. By day, she dodges the paparazzi while soaking up California sunshine. By night, however, she dodges security cameras and armed guards, pulling off high-stakes cat burglaries with a team of flamboyant young men. In and out of disguise, she’s in all the headlines.

But then Margo’s personal life takes a sudden, dark turn, and a job to end all jobs lands her crew in deadly peril. Overnight, everything she’s ever counted on is put at risk. Backs against the wall, the resourceful thieves must draw on their special skills to survive. But can one rebel heiress and four kickboxing drag queens withstand the slings and arrows of truly outrageous fortune? Or will a mounting sea of troubles end them — for good?

Review:

Margo Manning is the only child of an extremely wealthy business man. She has been in the spotlight and tabloids her entire life (think Paris Hilton), but nothing was really challenging her until she and her drag queen friends begin carrying out various high stakes burglaries.  Margo isn't doing it for the money, but her team definitely is.  They are extremely good at what they do, but one of their jobs hit a little too close to home and the "victim" is now out for blood. 

Margo discovers there was more to her father's death than an incurable disease and is determined to bring down the people responsible. This next job could solve all of their problems, but the risks and challenges may be insurmountable.  They need to recruit an additional team member or the plan will never work, but who can they trust that possesses the skills they need? Margo thinks she may know just the right man for the job.

This was a very entertaining book with unforgettable characters. The dialogue and interactions between Margo and the boys were laugh out loud hysterical at times and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the action during the heists. I also found all of the planning and high tech gadgets to be fascinating.  There was even a little bit of flirting and romance between some of the characters, which also kept the pages turning.  

The one thing I found distracting was the use of obscure vocabulary throughout the book. I am a well educated individual with multiple college degrees and even I felt like I was taking the vocabulary section of the ACT or SAT. Having to look up the occasional word is one thing, but this novel was loaded with terms the vast majority of individuals probably aren't familiar with. I read it on my kindle and could easily click on the word to get the definition, but I'm sure most readers wouldn't take the time and would eventually get frustrated. Especially young adult readers, which is the target audience.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable book with plenty of action, adventure and a little bit of romance that should capture and hold the attention of most readers. I really enjoyed the drag queen twist to the heists. That isn't something you read about every day and would have been hysterical to watch on the surveillance video.  A bunch of above average sized women in flamboyant outfits and wigs taking down some of the most advanced security systems and guards money can buy.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston


Goodreads Overview:

What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?

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?

Review:

This book was absolutely fantastic and more than I ever anticipated when I first started reading. It ties in a variety of real life political struggles with an unforgettable romance that will capture the hearts of readers.

Alex Claremenot-Diaz is the first son of the United States and has despised Prince Henry ever since he met him at the Olympics several years ago. What he doesn't realize is why his feelings towards the Prince are so strong after such a brief encounter. He has been fixated on him ever since and has considered him his number one rival.  

Prince Henry had a much different interpretation of their first meeting and uses their scandal and forced "friendship" to his advantage.  He never imagined Alex would reciprocate his feelings, but as Alex gets to know the real Henry, he can't deny the connection and friendship that is developing. When their relationship begins to escalate, they are both frightened and concerned with how it could impact their families as well as their counties.  They have lived in the public eye their entire lives and there are expectations that must be met. Are they willing to sacrifice their lives and their happiness for the benefit of others or will they decide to put themselves and their relationship above all else?

I absolutely loved the dialogue between Alex and Henry. Their emails and text messages ranged from hilarious to swoon worthy. They poured their hearts out to each other, but we could clearly see the struggles they were experiencing as they came to terms with their feelings. The references to past presidents, U.S. and British history, and the quotes from various authors and letters were very cleverly woven into the story and often brought a smile to my face. One of my favorites was the reference to George W. Bush's Scottish terriers, since I have a Scottie.

In addition to our two main characters we were introduced to the rest of the White House Trio, which consists of Alex's sister June and the granddaughter of the vice president, Nora. The trio grew up together and are the only true friends they all seem to have.  In addition, we met Henry's best friend Pez. Henry, Alex, and their three BFFs quickly become a tabloid sensation. This cast of supporting characters was highly entertaining in their own right and greatly added to the development of the story.

I honestly can't say enough about this book. It took me longer than it should have to read because I kept going back and rereading scenes. I simply couldn't get enough. The quotes, the snarky dialogue, and the references to the monarchy were all so enchanting that I just didn't want the book to end. This is by far my favorite book that I have read this year and I would highly recommend it to any YA fan.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Review: The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware


Goodreads Overview:

In this tightly wound, enthralling story reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s works, Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. The sky is clear, the waters calm, and the veneered, select guests jovial as the exclusive cruise ship, the Aurora, begins her voyage in the picturesque North Sea. At first, Lo’s stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a dark and terrifying nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for—and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo’s desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong…

With surprising twists, spine-tingling turns, and a setting that proves as uncomfortably claustrophobic as it is eerily beautiful, Ruth Ware offers up another taut and intense read in The Woman in Cabin 10—one that will leave even the most sure-footed reader restlessly uneasy long after the last page is turned.
 

Review:

This book was recommended to me by a former co-worker when I told her I was planning on going on a cruise???  Well, the Aurora isn't a typical cruise ship with hundreds or thousands of passengers. It is a luxury yacht with only ten plush cabins. The ship is getting ready to embark on its maiden voyage with a guest list consisting of media and travel writers, a photographer, potential financial backers, and the yacht's owner and his wife.  

Lo Blacklock has worked for Velocity travel magazine for years, but her boss is the one who usually takes advantage of the more upscale trips that come their way.  When her boss is laid up due to a complicated pregnancy, Lo is offered this once in a lifetime opportunity to sail on the Aurora.  She plans on networking and showing everyone how valuable she really is to the magazine. This may be just the beginning of bigger and better things to come. Unfortunately, she experiences a  rather traumatic event prior to embarking on the trip and isn't in the best frame of mind to schmooze or write.  Sleep deprivation and anxiety get the better of her and she decides to drink a bit too much to help cope.  She witnesses what she believes is a body being thrown overboard and immediately calls the staff to report it.  When all of the passengers are eventually accounted for, her story is dismissed.  Everyone tells her she was either too intoxicated or overly tired and didn't really see what she believes she saw.

Lo is convinced she did not imagine the event and continues to investigate.  The closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous things become for her.  She refuses to let it go and eventually finds herself in the middle of a very twisted tale.  

The pace of the story was excellent and I was constantly on the edge of my seat anticipating what would happen next.  I never would have guessed what ultimately took place and couldn't believe the lengths someone would go through to orchestrate a murder.  The plan would have worked perfectly if only Lo hadn't been awoken by a scream from the cabin next door.  It wasn't even a scream of terror, but more of a scream of shock or surprise.  It was just enough to get her attention and then she heard the splash.

I love murder mysteries and found this book to be very enjoyable.  It was a fast read and really gave you a sense of what it can feel like being trapped on a boat at sea.  We also had no wifi or contact with the outside world when we were on our cruise.  When Lo felt like she was in danger she couldn't contact anyone and had no way off the boat.  She was trapped and at the mercy of the passengers and crew.  She had no idea who she could trust and really needed to play her cards right if she wanted to walk away from the voyage alive.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Review: The Silver Mask by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare


Goodreads Overview:

A generation ago, Constantine Madden came close to achieving what no magician had ever achieved: the ability to bring back the dead. He didn't succeed . . . but he did find a way to keep himself alive, inside a young child named Callum Hunt. Now Call is one of the most feared and reviled students in the history of the Magisterium, thought to be responsible for a devastating death and an ever-present threat of war. As a result, Call has been imprisoned and interrogated. Everyone wants to know what Constantine was up to-and how he lives on. But Call has no idea. It is only when he's broken out of prison that the full potential of Constantine's plan is suddenly in his hands . . . and he must decide what to do with his power. In this spellbinding fourth book of Magisterium, bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare take us beyond the realm of the living and into the dangers of the dead. 

Review:

It had been a while since I read the previous book in the series, but I did not have any trouble picking up where things left off.  At the start of the book Callum is in a magical prison, not because of something he actually did, but because of the potential he has for wrong doing.  He has never intentionally done anything evil and even keeps a mental checklist of how his actions measure up on the "Evil Overlord" scale. He tries to do what is right, but without his counterweight, Aaron, he doesn't know if he will be able to control his Chaos magic.

When Master Joseph tells Call to bring Aaron back from the dead, he believes it is an impossible task.  He uses Constantine's notes and Jericho's journal to look for anything that might help him uncover what Constantine was missing, but will the benefits of bringing Aaron back really outweigh the risks? Master Joseph believes having the ability to bring people back from the dead will put him in a position of power not even the Assembly will be able to counter.  But will Aaron really be the same as he was before he died or will he become another Chaos ridden puppet that simply obeys his creator's commands?

This series is geared towards middle school children, so the books are relatively short....200 pages.  They are long enough to challenge young readers, but not so long they lose their attention or focus. There was plenty of action to hold my interest, but I sometimes found Call's inner dialogue to be a bit much.  As an adult reading the series, I felt like it slowed down the pace and didn't really propel the plot forward.  The ending, however, wasn't at all what I was expecting.  I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I hope Call and his friends will be able to achieve some level of normalcy in the next installment.  They didn't spend any time at the Magisterium, which is their school, and were fighting just about everyone to prove Call's innocence for the majority of this book. They have certainly earned some rest and relaxation, but I am certain that is not what Holly Black and Cassandra Clare have in mind for the conclusion of this series.   

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Review: Biggest Flirts by Jennifer Echols


I picked up a copy of this book at BEA 2014.  Yes...that is correct - 2014.  I thought it looked really cute and even added all of the companion novels to my TBR list as they were announced, but never got around to reading them.  A few weeks ago I was looking for something light and fun to read at the pool and this finally jumped off the shelf at me.

Tia is getting ready to start her senior year of high school. She has a reputation for being a party girl, but she is also extremely smart and a talented drummer in the school's marching band.  Her mother left years ago and she has watched her three older sisters make epic mistakes in the relationship department.  As a result, she vowed to always keep it casual and to never have a boyfriend.  

Will is the new kid at school.  He recently moved from Minnesota to Florida and his entire world is turned upside down.  At his old school he was the drum captain, student council president, and a star hockey player.  Now that he has to start over, he is no longer the star of the show.

Tia and Will meet his first night in town and immediately hit it off.  When Will wants to continue their relationship she shuts him down due to her no dating rule.  As Tia gets to know him and sees everything they have in common, and the great chemistry and friendship they have developed, she begins to question why she is holding onto this rule.  Then she becomes jealous when Will starts dating someone else and she knows she has to do something to get him back.

This series is based upon a school survey taken at the beginning of the year, which places all of the seniors into various categories for the yearbook.  Most likely to succeed, perfect couple, biggest flirts, etc.  After only a couple of weeks of band practice prior to the start of the school year, Will and Tia's actions led them to being voted biggest flirts.  The pressure of the title put a strain on their easy going relationship and led to some entertaining drama.  I loved both of their characters and everyone could see they were perfect together except Tia.  I was happy to see her come around in the end and hope we will see more of them in the companion novels.  

We were introduced to several of Tia's longtime friends throughout the book. I'm pretty sure the companion novels will focus on some of them, which will allow us to continue the series with the same basic group of characters.  


Friday, August 23, 2019

Review: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins


Goodreads Overview:

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things. 

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

Review:

Sweet Peril is the second book in the series and was just as good as the first.  After the discovery of  a prophecy that could free the Nephilim from the control of their fathers, they begin recruiting allies from around the world.  This is a very delicate task and has only succeeded to this point with the help of Anna's father.  Unfortunately, the other Dukes are beginning to questions some of the unusual activity taking place amongst the Neph, and Anna's father is under suspicion. I was happy to see there is a possibility the Nephilim may gain their freedom and could possibly live their lives without the controlling influence of their fathers.  They are; however, putting themselves in an extreme amount of danger.  The outcome is far from guaranteed, but they believe the reward exceeds the risks they are taking.

Anna and Kaidan have finally agreed to give in to their feelings for each other, but understand they must be extremely careful.  As a son and daughter of the Dukes of various sins, they are expected to spread their father's evil while forsaking their own feelings and desires.  Personal relationships between Neph are not allowed.  Things were definitely heating up between the two of them, but they can still only see each other when her father tells them the coast is clear. Obviously this isn't an ideal situation, but it is a drastic improvement from their previous circumstance.

Another character that I really enjoyed was Blake, the son of envy. who really seemed to have it all.  An amazing house with a pool, ocean view, and all the toys imaginable.  He excelled at just about everything and was always the center of attention.  He was able to share some of his energy with Anna and take her mind off of things when she needed it the most.

I am really enjoying this series and would definitely recommend it to any YA fan.  It has some fantasy/paranormal elements, but reads more like a contemporary.  Without the umbrella of fear the Neph are constantly under, the characters wouldn't be much different from any other teenager.  I can't wait to see how everything unfolds for them in the final installment, Sweet Reckoning.

Friday, August 9, 2019

Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han


Review:

I have seen this book around for years, but for some reason it never even made it to my TBR list.  One day I was scrolling through Netflix and noticed it was a Netflix original movie.  All of a sudden my interest was piqued and I added it to my TBR list, because you certainly can't watch the movie before reading the book.

Lara Jean is the middle of three sisters.  Her mother died when she was younger and her father is a very busy doctor.  Lara Jean's older sister, Margot, leaves to attend St. Andrews in Scotland and she is left to manage the house and her younger sister.  She is starting her junior year of high school when the unthinkable happens.  Someone mailed the letters she had written to five boys she had crushes on at various points in time since middle school.  The letters were never intended to be read by anyone except Lara Jean.  They were her way of expressing her feelings and putting an end to crushes she never acted upon.

As the boys begin approaching her about the letters, she decides to kiss Peter Kavinsky in front of Josh.  Both of the boys received letters, but Josh is the one she thinks she still has feelings for. Peter recently broke up with his girlfriend and wants to get her back, so the two devise a plan to act like they are dating  to make their true love interests jealous.  As the months pass by...they begin to realize they aren't pretending anymore.

This was an excellent story with very lovable characters.  I flew through the book and can't wait to read the rest of the series.  The ending was a bit abrupt and would have resulted in an agonizing wait for those who read this when it was first released.  That is definitely one of the pluses of stumbling upon a series after all of the books are already available.

I did watch the movie and was a bit disappointed.  They changed quite a few details compared to the book, which I didn't really think was necessary.  Perhaps if someone hasn't read the book and watches the movie without any expectations, they will find it more enjoyable.  I thought it was average at best and would have been happy with just the book in this case.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Review: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie


Goodreads Overview:

First, there were ten—a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal—and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. And only the dead are above suspicion.

Review:

I added this book to my TBR list when I was watching the PBS Great American Read series.  I enjoy murder mysteries and felt this was a classic I should probably read.  Then it was on my son's freshman year summer reading list, so we decided to read it together.

The book starts out with each of the guests receiving an invitation for an unforgettable week on an exclusive island.  Some are enticed through a needed vacation, while others are offered various forms of employment.  For example, a doctor is summoned to evaluate Mr. Owen's wife who supposedly refuses to seek medical care.  A police officer is asked to investigate/uncover some suspicious activity.   A married couple is offered employment as the cook/housekeeper and butler/handyman.  

All of the guests appear to have nothing in common, but they soon discover a link between them.  A recording accuses each of them of committing a murder the legal system can not hold them accountable for.  As the guests begin to die one after the other they realize these are not suicides as they originally thought.  They are being targeted and nobody will leave this island alive unless they are "very careful."  They search the island and can't find anyone else, so they conclude it must be one of them that is committing the murders.  Then they search everyone's possessions.  There aren't enough clues to point at anyone, yet the guests are falling faster than dominoes.  

This was an interesting tale, but it wasn't your typical murder mystery.  The author didn't leave a number of clues that in retrospect should have enabled the reader to solve the mystery on his or her own.  There is a very lengthy epilogue that spells out everything that took place on the island.  Without this additional information, I don't think anyone could have uncovered the truth.  That isn't exactly my idea of a murder mystery.  I realize this book was written in the 1930's and times and expectations may have changed.  This may have been the norm in that time period, but it wasn't nearly as engaging as trying to solve the mystery yourself.  As my son and I were reading we would discuss who we thought was the leading suspect, who was going to get picked off next, etc.  Without credible clues and evidence this soon became a fruitless process and my son began to lose interest.  

Overall, I enjoyed the story and could piece things together in the end with the help of the epilogue.  I do not think Preston was too impressed with the story and was just happy when it was over.  If it weren't for the help of an audio book when we had a weekend car trip, I don't think he would have ever finished it. 

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Review: 7th Heaven by James Patterson and MaxinePaetro


Goodreads Overview:

A terrible fire in a wealthy suburban home leaves a married couple dead and Detective Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin searching for clues. And after California's golden boy, Michael Campion has been missing for a month, there finally seems to be a lead in his case--a very devastating lead.

As fire after fire consume couples in wealthy, comfortable homes, Lindsay and the Murder Club must race to find the arsonists responsible and get to the bottom of Michael Campion's disappearance. But suddenly the fires are raging too close to home.

Frightened for her life and torn between two men, Lindsay must find a way to solve the most daunting dilemmas she's ever faced--at work and at home.

Review:

This is the 7th book in the Women's Murder Club series.  In this installment the ladies are working to catch a serial killer or killers who are targeting wealthy couples.  Robbery doesn't appear to be the primary motive.  Lindsay and her partner, Rich Conklin, are baffled by the fact that there are next to no clues at any of the scenes and there aren't any signs of forced entry.  The only clues that they can find to connect all of the crimes, besides the consistent MO of fire, are the books left at the scenes of the crimes with quotes written in Latin with the same handwriting.  

In addition, Yuki Castellano is the prosecuting attorney in the case of the missing Michael Campion. He is the son of a very wealthy politician who was born with a genetic heart condition. His parents have always guarded him and he has basically lived in a bubble his entire life.  He disappeared out of the blue with no trace.  After a month, the San Francisco PD receive a credible anonymous tip.  Lindsay and Rich follow up on it and a young prostitute, Junie Moon, is charged for his murder.  She confessed to the crime, but now she is claiming Lindsay and Rich pressured her into a confession and it isn't true.  She originally told a remarkable story, but there are no clues to back up what she claimed.  

The entire Michael Campion situation panned out exactly the way I thought it might in the end.  I don't want to give anything away, but it was a bit predictable given the lack of evidence.  The cases involving the fires and murders was far more difficult to crack and that is what really propelled this story forward.  The entire Women's Murder club came together to solve a devastating string of high profile murders.  The team caught a major break when the killers slipped up on what was supposed to be their grand finale.  The clues quickly piled up and Lindsay and Rich were hot on the trail.  

Overall, this was a highly entertaining murder mystery.  I am enjoying the series and will definitely continue.  The author is hinting at a possible love triangle between Lindsay, Joe, and Rich, which I don't think is really necessary in this series.  I thought Lindsay was finally going to be happy now that Joe moved to San Francisco.  He proposed in the previous book, but she still hasn't accepted because she doesn't think she is ready.  They are now living together, but her work is definitely the priority in her life at the moment.  Throughout this book some events start to put things into perspective.  I hope she makes the right decisions moving forward in this series.

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Review: Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella



Review:

Becky's troubles will never cease to amaze me.  This time Becky isn't in financial trouble.  She simply can't say no to her mom or her soon to be mother-in-law who are both planning weddings for her on the exact same day on two different continents.  As multiple invitations are going out to many of the same guests and the arrangements are being made, Becky just hopes everything will sort itself out. 

On one side of the spectrum she could have the wedding of the year that would rival any celebrity's.  On the other hand, she could have a more traditional ceremony at her parent's home with all of their family and friends.  When she finally makes a decision and takes a stand, she is confronted by the wedding planner from hell and discovers she may be in well over her head.

In addition, Luke is finally coming to terms with the fact that his mother may not be everything he had always hoped she would be.   He is struggling emotionally and has a bit of a breakdown.  As a result, Becky doesn't want to bother him with the "petty details" of their wedding troubles and keeps putting things off for a better time, but unfortunately time is running out. 

These are very light and entertaining reads with quite a bit of humor mixed in.  I did feel like this one drug on a bit and wished they could have gotten things sorted out a bit sooner.  The constant stress Becky was under with the two weddings was a bit much after a while.  Overall, I gave it three stars.  I enjoyed the story, but it wasn't my favorite in the series.  

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Review: Opal by Jennifer Armentrout


Opal is the third book in the Lux series.  Katy and Daemon have finally worked through their personal issues, but they have more than their share of family problems to deal with in this installment.

Daemon's twin brother Dawson is back, but he is far from the same person he was prior to his disappearance.  He is determined to free his girlfriend, Bethany, from their captors and must rely on the help of a very unreliable source.  I assumed we had seen the last of Blake, but he returns with a very unlikely proposition. He has a source that can get them into the facility holding his friend and Bethany. He realizes he has no chance of making it out alive on his own, so he solicits the help of Daemon and his family and friends. It is a very risky mission and one they do not take lightly. 

The majority of the book involves training and planning for the mission.  Nobody trusts Blake, but they are forced to work with him on a daily basis, which keeps tensions high.  Dee will never forgive him for killing her boyfriend Adam.  As a result, there are a number of highly entertaining interactions between the two of them. 

With a "family" as large as Daemon's it seems like privacy is an unknown concept. There were a few times Katy and Daemon were able to spend some quality time together in this book. I don't want to give anything away, but the prom night festivities were very sweet and well planned.  I definitely give Daemon props for that.

The ending was a complete shocker and not at all what I was expecting.  Considering there is another book in the series...I guess I shouldn't have been expecting a happily-ever-after at the end, but I NEVER saw that coming.  Fortunately I do not have to wait to find out what happens next :)

Overall, this was a great addition to the series.  There was plenty of tension, action, and romance to keep the pages flying.  


Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith


This book has been sitting on my TBR list since January 2012.  It looked incredibly cute when it was first released and I read some great reviews, so I have no idea why it took me so long to finally read it.

Hadley is on her way to London to see her father, who she hasn't seen in over a year. She has been filled with bitterness ever since he accepted his dream job at Oxford University and tore their happy little family apart. Now her soon to be step-mother, Charlotte, has asked her to be a bridesmaid in their wedding.  She used to be so close to her father, but he is like a stranger to her now. He has a new life with a new woman she has never met in a country she has never even visited. Just when she thinks things couldn't get any worse, she misses her flight.

While waiting in the airport she meets Oliver, a British boy who just so happens to be sitting in the same row on her newly assigned flight. They are both dealing with difficult family situations and are a welcome distraction to each other. They quickly hit it off.  What could have been a long boring flight filled with anxiety, Hadley gets claustrophobic, seems to pass by in the blink of an eye.  Now they must tackle their family situations independently, but Hadley can't seem to get Oliver out of her mind.

This story takes place over the course of only one day.  It is so magical that it is hard to believe so much could be accomplished in only 24 hours. I listened to this book on audio and would highly recommend it.  Who doesn't love a boy with a British accent?  Hadley and Oliver are drawn to each other like magnets throughout the day and continue providing comfort and support to each other as they both conquer the demons life has thrown their way. By the end of the story you feel like their lives may once again be filled with hope and promise for the future. It was as if the fates had aligned to bring these two together when they needed each other most. 

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Review: Rowan by Josephine Angelini


Rowan is a short 30 page novella that is 1.5 in the Worldwalker series. It shows how Rowan discovered Lily in his world and the events that transpired shortly after her arrival.  Rowan believed she was Lillian and couldn't understand what was wrong with her.  She acted like she had no idea who he was, she was having allergic reactions to things Lillian has been able to control for years, and was basically weak and helpless.  How could this possibly be the Salem Witch who has been reeking havoc on his world and family?  But what other explanation could there possibly be?

Overall this was a nice addition to the story, but I don't feel like it was essential to the story line. I have already read the first two books in the series and do not feel like I was at a loss without this content, which actually took place somewhere within the first book.  The back story is helpful in getting some of Rowan's perspective on the situation, but we can also get that through mind speak and the sharing of vision within this series.  

I downloaded this for free to my kindle from the library, so it was well worth my time to read.  It is listed for $1.99 on Amazon, which seems a bit crazy to me.  Many authors release these short novellas for free, assuming readers of this content are also buying and reading the rest of their series.  That is what should have happened here.  Charging people for a few scenes, which were probably cut from the original book, will likely disappoint many readers. Definitely try to get this book from the library.