Fall With Me - Julie Particka

Title: Fall With Me
Author: Julie Patricka
Rating: 3/5

Thanks to NetGallery and Entangled Publishing (Embrace) for giving me a chance to read this before the official release.

In the game of love…

Dumped by her college boyfriend for her best friend, the last thing Jenna Brandt needs to deal with is working beside her backstabbing-BFF's hotter-than-hot brother. But when he offers her a chance to get some revenge on her ex, she can hardly say no--even if spending more time with Sutton puts her heart in jeopardy all over again.

Someone's going to get hurt…

Sutton Bell has had a thing for Jenna since they were in high school, but after one screwed-up night, she didn’t want anything to do with him. Now, with just the summer before he leaves to begin his new career, Sutton’s determined to convince Jenna he’s not the player he used to be. But saving his sister from making an awful mistake may mean losing Jenna for good.

Fall With Me is a book which story has been turned into a dozen movies already. Girl's boyfriend cheats with the girl's best friend, girl hates both, girl flls for ex-best friend's brother, he convinces the girl to forgive. In order to be different from those movies, your book has to be something special.

At first I thought Julie created something awesome here. I'm not saying she didn't. She can be proud of her work. It just didn't do it for me. Onc Jenna and Sutton figured there was chemistry between them (happen pretty fast), the book lost its appeal.

Taking revenge on your ex seems childish. Wanting to protect your sister isn't, but Sutton did this the wrong way.

I'm keeping the review short. I'm sorry it didn't blow me away like I hoped it would. This has absolutely nothing to do with the author or her writing. The writing was pretty good actually. I also don't regret reading it or thnk of it as a waste of time. No. Maybe if there was a prequel to it, I would have enjoyed it more. I don't know.

Recommending this to New Adult readers, wanting to try some New Adult meets Adult fiction.

Undeniable (Undeniable #01) - Ashley Simone, Alicia Roberts

Title: Undeniable (Undeniable #01)
Author: Ashley Simone, Alicia Roberts
Rating: 3/5

Thanks to NetGallery and Ashley Simone for giving me a chance to read this before the official release.

What if One Night Could Change Your Life?

Working in a diner by day and desperately applying for accounting jobs by night, Allie Nobokov fears that her future will be one of a single, virginal, cat lady. A chance encounter with a gorgeous stranger, Zac, awakens her desires and she feels an undeniable connection.

When fate pushes them together once again, Allie’s desires run wild – until, just when things start getting hot and heavy, Zac disappears into the night...

How can you deny a connection so strong?

All that is pushed to the back of Allie’s mind when her younger brother shows up on her doorstep, desperately in need of more money than she can provide… Until she sees a classified ad.

“I met a girl and I can’t get over her,” says the ad, and goes on to describe Allie. “If you look like her, I’ll pay handsomely for one night with you.”

Can Allie summon the courage to answer the mysterious ad and go through with what it entails? And can she convince the enigmatic Zac to push aside his demons and give their love a chance?

When I requested Undeniable I thought it was a full-length novel. I have a hard time reading short novels, novellas.

I'm ashamed to compare this book to 50 Shades of Gray. It's like you can't read a book that includes sexy scenes, seducing scenes, etc. without thinking of EL James' series first. Funny because I still haven't read those.

I don't know if the authors started this series as a novel and cut it then. I guess the story was meant to happen in short novels. That'd explain why some parts seemed rushed to me. However, sometimes it's better to rush than to make the reader feel bored by describing too much.

Allie really cared for her brother, so the story also focuses on other relationships too.

I had a problem wth how easily Allie found Zac on the internet. That didn't happen by accident, did it? ;)

Saying this is my new favorite book would be a lie. But I liked it enough to be excited about the sequel.

Blue Notes - Carrie Lofty

Title: Blue Notes
Author: Carrie Lofty
Rating: 3.5 - 4 / 5
Thanks to NetGallery and Gallery Books for giving me a chance to read this before the official release.

After being bounced from foster family to foster family, Keeley, a talented pianist, is ready to start over as a junior at Tulane. But when she plays a small concert that attracts the attention of Jude, a brooding playboy and heir to an enormous fortune in the wake of his parents’ tragic death, suddenly Keeley’s life is thrown off balance once again.

Jude is the first person to confront her about the pain behind her music, and she struggles with whether or not to let him into her life, or to keep protecting herself from the hurt that relationships have caused her in the past. But Keeley’s about to learn that the melancholy young billionaire who appears to have everything he wants can open her eyes to exactly what she needs…

I'm so sorry for sticking with the original sypnosis again. I can't seem to find the right words in order to write one myself.

There are books you request on NetGallery and never imagine to actually get. Thank you to whoever pressed the 'accept' button. I'm really thankful for that.

It's easy to compare this book to Fifty Shades of Gray or is it Grey? I have no idea, I never read those books. From what I've heard, this one here is pretty similar though. Difference is, this is for new adults. I'm not sure if Shades of Gray is adult material or starts off with new adult too, but well... It doesn't really matter. It's about seducing and someone who's older and sexyness (is that a word?) and dares and fears.

So please don't make the mistake and think of this book as a sweet story. I know the cover is making you think up stories about unicorns and cotton candy in your head. You couldn't be more wrong. I thought this would be a light read too, a bit poetic maybe. Truth is, it's raw and powerful and ruins the skin on your cheeks because you'll eventually find yourself crying. Or near to tears. No denying that.

The sad thing is, however, this book loses its voice through the story. In the beginning I thought this would be another poetic read, as I said, and then I fell in love with the story so much, I was disappointed as I turned the pages. I can't exactly describe why and I hate for being disappointed in the end as much as I am. I think Keeley hasn't exactly figured out who she is. Her past still lingers somewhere between the pages and my eyes and I want her to overcome her fears completely. To be honest, she hasn't become a different person. She might have fallen in love with an asshole (a very handsome one, I assume) but her character lost its appeal. Gosh, I'm being too harsh, aren't I? Let's just say that I started to dislike her character after the middle of the book.

Also, I liked Jude in the beginning so much more. I was surprised to find sympathy for Adelaide. I wish there was a book about her, and Janissa too. Those two really grew on me. I usually can't stand the main character's best friends, but I really liked Janissa and Adelaide.

I should probably quit writing reviews, considering I'm not really good at it. I liked the story itself and I enjoyed it most of the time. Just because I didn't like the last forty pages or so doesn't mean I'm going to give Blue Notes a bad rating. I just hoped to find out more about Keeley's past and I also couldn't relate to Jude's problems. It seemed like once he said it all out loud, the magic was gone.

I repeat - I liked this book. This isn't a mean review, no. I'd recommend it. Strongly. It's not a bad book. I will just stop and let you read it yourself.

How We Lived (Remembering Kyle #01) - Erin Butler

Title: How We Lived (Remembering Kyle #01)

Author: Erin Butler

Rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to NetGallery and Entangled Publishing (Embrace) for giving me a chance to read this before the official release.

Nineteen-year-old Kelsey Larkin’s parents uninvited her to her brother’s funeral. She just wanted to wear jeans and a T-shirt—the clothes Kyle would’ve wanted her in—not wrap herself up in death. So she watched the funeral from afar, like an outsider. Which is just how she feels.

Chase came, though, just like she knew he would. Until a few months ago, the three of them had been best friends, and then Chase made a mistake that shattered both families. But when Kelsey looks at him, she doesn’t see her brother’s killer. She sees the boy next door who’s always taken care of her. She sees home.

When Chase tells her his feelings run deeper than friendship, she can’t help but get lost in him. In Chase, she finally has the closure she’s been unable to find anywhere else. But the boy she’s falling in love with is still hiding secrets about the night Kyle died. Secrets that could destroy everything they have…again.

I am currently not able to go online via computer, so I have to keep the review 'short'. That's why it took so long to copy the review to Goodreads - my internet is too slow to load a lot of things. I'm sorry for sticking with the official sypnosis.

I can safely say - I loved this book to pieces! I chatted with Erin Butler via Twitter while I read it, telling her this book was the only good thing happening during the move we're currently in.

It's always sad to read about loss, especially a loss of someone the main character loved very much. I was so sad and grieved for Kelsey, but when Chase came into the picture I felt hope. I wanted to slap both of them a couple of times - they both had their strange sides and their lovely sides. Gosh, I suck so bad at writing this review. I am sorry Erin.

You know, the strange thing is, I didn't blame Chase for Kyle's death either. If this was real life and I wouldn't see Kelsey point of view, I probably might have blamed Chase. But with both their point of views, I wanted everybody else to see the good Chase, the one who cared and who was sexy and the one who would do anything for the ones close to him. Gaaaah! I want a Chase! Bake one!

Even funnier, I picked this book up randomly. I browsed through NetGallery and it sounded nice, so I requested it. I am so damn glad I got accepted. I wouldn't want to miss to have read this masterpiece. I think everyone else should, too. It's one of my favourite reads this year, and definitely in my guilty pleasure shelf (the best shelf) on Goodreads. I can't wait to order a physical copy. A beauty like this has to appear in my book shelf. Like, immeditaley. I wish I could undo reading this book and read it all over again, not knowing what to expect.

I'm sorry for not describing the characters. I'll say it like this: You'll love Chase. You'll want a Chase. And you'll find yourself being Kelsey, not just reading about a foreign girl. You will hate Kelsey's mom, both of her parents, and you will fall in love with Chase's mother and his friend Vito.

How We Lived is spectacular (I have to use that word, because I don't know how to spell the actual one I want to use haha)! I'm telling the truth when I say I compare it to a raw diamond - so beautiful. It involves everything a good book should. And I really recommend it to fans of The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson, and One Moment by Kristina McBride.

I love you Erin Butler. Please write more books - I can't wait to read more of your writing. Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention: As a wanna-be writer (I'm talking about me, if you haven't figured) I admire the way Erin Butler writes. I wish I could write like that.

Heartbitten - Aubrey Rose

Title: Heartbitten
Author: Aubrey Rose
Rating: 3.5 - 4/5

Thanks to NetGallery and Fido Publishing for letting me receive a digital copy of this book.

Robb has lost a very important person in his early life - Eliza. He lost her because the vampires took him and made him become one too. Now, a hundred years later, he finds himself torn between giving love a new chance, having Liz in his life, who a virgin on top of it all, and the costs that come along by being a vampire.

Liz puts all of her focus on her work. She loves her job, and if Jenny wouldn't drag her, she'd never willingly go to a party. She's not much of a party person, let alone searching looking for a relationship. But then she meets Robb Chatham who is too goodlooking for his own good. Will she still lust after him when she finds out about his secret?

Please ignore the sypnoses, as always. I'm not good at writing them.

Do you know these moments when you browse through a book website and find one that captures your attention by the sypnosis so bad, you want to read it immediately? That's what happened to me when I found Heartbitten on NetGallery. I was browsing though the different sections of genres and found Heartbitten. There was part of a conversation between Liz and Robb and I fell in love. I wanted to have that book. You can imagine how happy I was, when I actually received it.

Usually, I prefer to read books written in first person. I can't seem to relate to third person that well. But forget it! Aubrey Rose's writing is too perfect to complain. She's one of my new favourite authors, a new rulemodel when it comes to writing.

I adored Liz and Robb's characters. Their feelings and intentions were described perfectly, leaving nothing to the imagination.

What I missed though was the story of Robb, how he became a vampire. We only know that they took him, but we don't know what happened then. Or is my English that bad and I didn't understand it, missed reading that scene? If so, I am very sorry. I was too excited about the romance between Liz and Robb. And oh God! That romance. I totally loved it.

My favourite scene... I know, no one's interested in reading about that, but I want to mention it anyway. I had lots of favourite scenes, but my very very favourite was when Liz thought she had discovered Robb's secret and it was a total misunderstanding, turning into a disaster. She was so supportive and all cute about convincing him it was all okay. She hadn't expected that. Love, love, love that scene!

Sometimes, it was hard for me to understand the biological and chemistry language in this book. But that's just because English isn't my mother-tongue. Oh, and I really don't know why this book is titled as New Adult. Robb clearly isn't a new adult and Liz... She may be a virgin, but she is acting like a real grown-up.

I don't want to give away too much. I really loved the book and I am glad to have found such a talented author through NetGallery. Thanks for that. I really hope for a sequel to Heartbitten, because I'd love to read more about those two lovebirds. A book about Jenny, or even Thad (though I really didn't like the guy) would be nice too. Just give me more, Aubrey. Do it, do it, do it! I'm begging you. Pleaseeeee!

Til Death (Fractured Souls #01) - Kate Evangelista

Title: Til Death (Fractured Souls #01)

Author: Kate Evangelista

Rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to NetGallery and Entangled Teen for giving me the chance to read this book before the official release date.

Sixteen-year old Selena Fallon is a dreamer. Not a day-dreamer, but an I-see-the-future kind of dreamer. Normally this is not a problem as she has gotten pretty good at keeping her weird card hidden from everyone in her small town. Except from her best friend Kyle and her grandparents, of course. But when Selena dreams of her own rather bloody death, things get a little too freaky even for her.

Enter Dillan Sloan. Selena has seen the new guy in a different dream, and he is even more droolworthy in person. Beyond the piercing blue eyes and tousled dark hair, there is something else that draws her to him. Something…electric. Unfortunately, Dillan makes it more than clear that he does not feel the same. They just met, so why would he act like he hates her?

When Dillan and Selena are forced together one weekend to work on a school project, Selena prepares to be ignored as usual. But when she stumbles across a few undead in the backyard, Dillan comes to her rescue and reveals a whole lot more. Not only is he part of a society that hunts otherworldly creatures…she is too. And she is being targeted by a force bigger and darker than anything she ever imagined. Despite her death dream, Selena is not going to give up easy, especially when she discovers that Dillan might not actually hate her after all.

Thought it was better to stick with the blurb on Goodreads for this one too. I couldn't bring myself to write one.

I found the writing for this one incredibly exciting. When you read Dillan's point of view, it's written in third person. Selena's point of view is written in first person. I think I've never read anything like that, and I found myself liking it this way. It was very interesting.

Selena's point of view focuses on the 'normal' life more, I'd say. Well, it's what she's used to anyway, so it makes sense. When I was reading her parts, I felt like I was reading a casual teenage novel and when it came down to Dillan's point of view, I was thrown into this paranomal world. Selena has those parts too, but Dillan's universe is all about that. The two had different voices, so to speak, I don't know how to put it. I think it's awesome, you could never mix those two up.

I absolutely loved reading about Dillian being haunted by Katarina. I can't wait to see how that ends... Oh, I don't want to spoil, gaaaah! I've just got to be patient, yes, I know.

I also think that Kate Evangelista is a master of writing cliffhangers. You always find yourself wanting more and more. I want the second book now, please! :D See, I want more already. You'll see why once you finish the book.

Short sentences for the other characters in this book. I felt so sorry for Bowen somehow. I absolutely loved Kyle. I found Dillan's uncle a bit strange. I'd like to read more about Penny.

The only thing that confused me was how everyone seemed to have secrets and be mysterious in their own ways.

You can read this book whether you're into paranomal stuff or not. See it as a bonus if you like. Clearly, it'd be better if you're a bit interested in that kind of genre, but this book's also something for all those you will read just any young adult book.

Some of my questions are still unanswered, so I'll definitely pick up book number two!

Searching For Beautiful - Nyrae Dawn

Title: Searching For Beautiful

Author: Nyrae Dawn

Rating: 4/5

Thanks to NetGallery and Entangled Publishing for giving me the chance to read this book before the official release date.

Before, Brynn had a group of best friends, a loving boyfriend, a growing talent for pottery. She had a life. And after…she had none.

When Brynn lost the boyfriend who never loved her, the friends who feel she betrayed their trust, and the new life just beginning to grow inside her, she believes her future is as empty as her body. But then Christian, the boy next door, starts coming around. Playing his guitar and pushing her to create art once more. She meets some new friends at the local community center, plus even gets her dad to look her in the eye again…sort of.

But can Brynn open up her heart to truly find her life’s own beauty, when living for the after means letting go of the before?

I'm sticking with the blurb on Goodreads this time. I know I suck at writing those on my own.

Searching For Beautiful is based on a really great story. There isn't a boring start to this or anything, no, we get a point of view of things right away. We're brought right into the action, into the shocking action, I think I should say. You'll find yourself disappointed in Jason right from the start. And though I wish it wasn't true, every girl will probably find a guy like that tugged inside their head, not wanting to think about him. I really hated that character right away.

I also couldn't relate to Brynn's friends. I found them annoying. Maybe that's the reason why I don't like the stories I write - I always long for harmony. I couldn't stand friends to be distant for such a long time, acting cold, ignoring each other. They should have believed Brynn. Friends do that, don't they? What is it with me and always hating the main character's friends?

So, Christian... Finally a hispanic guy. I missed those. I sometimes couldn't understand his actions, but then I guess Nyrae created the perfect boy characters - girl just can't understand boys sometimes haha. Christian is a guitar player, but he isn't one of those typical ones. He doesn't brag about it. I also totally loved his gummy bear obsession, it was totally cute. He's make a great book boyfriend - someone with flaws, not too perfect. He had some problems of his own, which was really refreshing next to all these perfect-model-like-I've-got-no-problems-at-all guys.

Also, I liked that the story wasn't focused on Brynn's lost of her mother. It would have been too sad to read about more loss and sad emotions. I'm not sure I could have dealt with that. If Brynn was a real person, she would disagree with me now, but I have to say that she is such a strong girl. The second you read about her, you just get her. It clicks.

During the book I found myself asking if maybe I wanted Brynn to get together with Ian again. I would have liked to read more about their story. Granted, I guess there isn't much to their story, but I like to think he was a nice guy after all; he just didn't know how to treat her right. Let me live inside my own dream world, please.

Nyrae Dawn is one of my favourite authors already. I recently just found out that her other novel, Charade, is out here in Germany. I think I have to pick it up, though I read it in English already. I'm glad she finally gets some attention over here as well. By writing Searching For Beautiful she steadied her position as one of my favourite authors. Maybe this was even my favourite of her novels. I loved it! I really did! I might add that I loved the dedication in this one, really lovely, Nyrae Dawn. :)