Daring The Bad Boy - Monica Murphy

Title: Daring The Bad Boy
Author: Monica Murphy
Rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for letting me receive a digital copy of this book before its official release.

Annie McFarland is sick of being a shy nobody. A session at summer camp seems like the perfect opportunity to reinvent herself—gain some confidence, kiss a boy, be whoever she wants to be. A few days in, she’s already set her sights on über-hottie Kyle. Too bad her fear of water keeps her away from the lake, where Kyle is always hanging out.

Jacob Fazio is at Camp Pine Ridge after one too many screw-ups. Junior counseling seems like punishment enough, but the rigid no-fraternizing-with-campers rules harsh his chill. When a night of Truth or Dare gets him roped into teaching Annie how to swim, she begs him to also teach her how to snag Kyle.

Late-night swim sessions turn into late-night kissing sessions…but there’s more on the line than just their hearts. If they get caught, Jake’s headed straight to juvie, but Annie’s more than ready to dare him to reveal the truth.

This is what I call a summer read. And it also happens to be the exact kind of story that I wish I had written. Seriously, this Daring The Bad Boy is so similar to the book idea I've had in mind for over five years now, starting to write it down and then quitting again. To be honest, Monica Murphy has a better way with words than me, no arguing about that, but I am jealous. Because this is everything I hoped my book would be too.

Annie and Jake are about the sweetest characters you will ever come across. Granted, Jake is described as the typical bad boy, but you can't help but love him. Whenever he is around Annie, you just want to give him a push right into her arms, make them both see they are perfect for each other. Because they are.

Annie is this shy girl that would rather dig a hole into the ground and hide in it than ever make the first move on a boy. Which is why she kind of depends on Jake. There is a guy at camp called Kyle. Everybody has got a crush on him, everybody already had something going on with him, and Annie wants her share, this year being her first at camp ever. She's got a secret that she only shares with her best friend at camp and... Well, Jake. And in order to overcome her fears, Annie and Jake find themselves hanging around each other quite a lot.

I don't want to give away the story, which is why I'll be quiet on the characters and their background, but I absolutely enjoyed this book. I wouldn't have thought it'd end up as one of my favourite summer reads ever, but it totally did. When I got to the part they first saw each other, when I got to the scene in which Annie tries to prove she isn't a coward, I found myself wanting to read until my eyes burned, until I was so tired, I had to put my phone away and still couldn't fall asleep because the story had me hooked. That's what I call a page turner, a book worth loving. Now I can understand why so many German readers are obsessed with Monica Murphy's books. She's a genius. While this story could have easily been somewhat of a dull read, it wasn't. It was perfect, expect for one part toward the end, in which I kind of ended up hating Annie. Maybe, if you decide to give this book a try, you'll be with my on that point. Maybe not. I'm just trying to defend Jake, because he was this ultimate book boyfriend.

I don't know why there is a warning about sexual situations in the summary of this book. Truth be told, I didn't get the impression of that at all. Well, if kissing counts as sexual situation, then I guess you're right, but other than that, it's totally harmless. Felt like I had to say this at last.

So... Forget about your schedule, forget about whatever it is you wanted to do the rest of your summer (or any other season for that matter), make sure to go to your local book store and buy this beauty, or go to any digital shop and buy it. It's not that often that I love a book this much, but I did. Daring The Bad Boy was a highlight for me and if it happens to be a highlight for you too, share it with me.

Keeping Her Secret - Sarah Nicolas

Title: Keeping Her Secret
Author: Sarah Nicolas
Rating: 2.5 - 3/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for letting me receive a digital copy of this book before its official release.

The last person Riya Johnson expected to run into at her new summer camp is Courtney Chastain—her childhood best friend and the girl who broke her heart after a secret, mind-blowing, life-altering kiss. She definitely didn’t expect to be sharing a bunk bed with her for four long weeks.

Courtney has what every girl wants—she’s beautiful, rich, and the object of every boy’s desire at Camp Pine Ridge. Too bad none of them make her feel an iota of what Riya’s kiss did all those years ago. But Courtney needs to uphold appearances at all costs—even if it means instigating an all-out prank war with Riya as her main target.

Neither girl can stop thinking about the other… but that doesn’t mean they can give up past hurts and take a chance on a future together.

Even two days after reading this book, I can't decide on a proper rating. It was nice, not my favourite read ever, but cute enough to continue.

Honestly, there need to be more lesbian young adult novels. There are too few of them out there, but I think it'd be important for publishers to support these kind of stories since a lot of teens struggle with coming out or their own sexuality. Maybe reading a young adult books that contain this topic would help them deal with it better.

Surprisingly, though the two main characters - Courtney and Riya (like that name, by the way!) - have got a past, there aren't any flashbacks or chapters written about that. One certain scene is mentioned, but that's it. I am not sure how to feel about that. I guess after kind of expecting flashbacks, I am still okay with the author not writing them down. The story itself didn't need those additional scenes. But we do get to find out that a lot has happened ever since. Courtney is a popular girl with strict parents that would rather forget she was ever friends with Riya, and Riya is exactly the opposite. During the story, Courtney is revealed as an insecure girl, while Riya is pretty upfront about everything. Opposites attract, don't they?!

I did like Courtney's brother. He was a cutie, not mentioned often enough, haha. Dee was a cool girl, too. Much like a confident rock chick or something. And sorry for comparing, but the whole story reminded me of Pretty Little Liars, minus the camp thing itself. Probably because it's the only teen TV show that I watch(ed), including a lesbian couple. In my mind, Riya was like Emily and Coutrney was like... Well, more like Paige, for example.

The pranks the girls pulled on each other annoyed me after a bit, but that's my taste. I was even annoyed by their talents and the talent show. That's not the author's fault, I just didn't enjoy that, sorry. And the volleyball match... (That makes it sound like I hated the story, which is not true.) Although, reading about how Courtney struggled with her sexuality and how strict her parents were wouldn't have been enough to fill out the story. So her talent and also Riya's were an important detail (sorry for only saying it's a detail) for the book.

So, if you're looking for a read about two girls instead of the same old bad boy and good girl kind of thing, I suggest you pick up Keeping Her Secret. It's a decent read, one that should lined up in school's libraries, public libraries and be recommented by parents, as well!

The Boyfriend Bet (Boyfriend Chronicles #02) - Chris Cannon

Title: The Boyfriend Bet (Boyfriend Chronicles #02)
Author: Chris Cannon
Rating: 2/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for letting me receive a digital copy of this book before its official release.

Zoe Cain knows that Grant Evertide is way out of her league. So naturally, she kisses him. Out of spite. Not only is Grant her brother’s number-one nemesis, but he has zero interest in being tied down to one girl. She’s shocked—and secretly thrilled—when they start spending more time together. Non-exclusively, of course, but that doesn’t mean Zoe can’t change his mind, one PDA and after-school detention at a time.

Zoe’s brother claims Grant is trying to make her his “Ringer,” an oh-so-charming tradition where a popular guy dates a non-popular girl until he hooks up with her, then dumps her. Zoe threatens to neuter Grant with hedge clippers if he's lying but Grant swears he isn’t trying to trick her. Still, that doesn’t mean Grant is the commitment type—even if winning a bet is on the line.

I am so sad to say this, but I didn't enjoy this book. Like, at all. I really wanted to. I read so many great reviews for Chris Cannon books, but I got disappointed, reading The Boyfriend Bet. The main characters were annoying as hell. Grant was such a jerk, never deciding on what he wants. He is such a player, even worse than those you read about in new adult novels. And all he ever did with Zoe was taking her out for dinner. That wasn't creative at all. I can see that teenage boys are just exactly like that - uncreative, bored by their girlfriends quickly and all that stupid stuff - but bleh! I hated him. Same with Zoe, actually. She seemed so naive to me and I didn't understand why she even liked Grant. The first chapter... Yeah, uhm... Was that bitchy? Cheap? I didn't see the point. Honestly. Maybe it's difficult for authors to come up with a good idea about the main characters meeting each other, but that was just... Too much, too fast.

And I wish I could say positive things about this book. I do. But I can't think of any. Alright, one... I liked Grant's best friend. He seemed nice enough. A nerdy kind of guy. Of course, he was all messed up in the head, too, not admitting how much he liked Zoe's best friend and all that, but he was better than Grant himself. That's for sure.

So, I didn't see any chemistry between the characters and I think they would have been better off without each other. I was unpleasantly surprised by how fast Grant's mother changed her mind about Zoe, especially since she was so mean to her in the school office. Is that a spoiler? I hope not. His father was okay-ish and my favourite character might have been Zoe's brother, actually. He was the only smart one, to be honest. The relationship between Zoe and Grant seemed forced to me, but sadly, it isn't an unrealistic story since I know enough girls who run after guys again and again, no matter what they do, no matter what they say. I guess from now on, I'll call them The Zoes, haha.

A Beautiful Sin - A.M Hargrove & Terri E. Laine

Title: A Beautiful Sin
Author: A.M Hargrove & Terri E. Laine
Rating: 3/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Red Coat PR for letting me receive a digital copy of this book.

Since I was a boy, my desire was to marry the church. To give my vows and life over to God despite the corruption in my soul.

I am a sinner, the embodiment of temptation, or so I’ve been told.

Yet, I’ve never touched, never kissed, never sought the company of another until her. She is my weakness, my salvation, my downfall and my freedom. Our sins are bound tighter than fate.

My name is Canaan. I am an ordained Roman Catholic priest, forever and always.

Her name is Haven. She may be my destiny, my destruction.

This is not a love story, but rather a confession of all my sins.

There are certain books that deal with a topic you're curious about. And then, though you've never read any book with this topic before, it's kind of disappointing in the end. That's how it was for me with A Beautiful Sin. I really enjoyed the writing of both writers, their styles unite as one and I couldn't tell you who wrote which part and who wrote another, so they did a good job. And the novel itself isn't bad, I am not saying that. But... It took so long for the main characters to meet. Basically, we got to read about their heavy and monstrous past again and again. There wasn't a page that didn't deal with their past, their background, and I got tired of it. I wanted them to be happy again. And it just took them so damn long.

I was impressed by how the author's described Haven's painting process. I imagine one of the authors must love drawing and painting as well, because everything was described detailed, unlike any book with an artistic main character I read before. So, the writers have a way with words. There's no arguing about that. I wasn't convinced of the choice of scenes though. The characters didn't go around a lot. Maybe that makes sense for a priest and maybe I am complaining without reason. Surely, if the authors had set scenes to many different locations, I would have complained about that too. So, maybe I'm just being quite critically today.

Of course, their pasts were traumatic and horrifiying to read about. I wanted to quit, because I hate imagining those things in my head. It's too brutal for me. But I continued and continued, because forbidden romances are my weakness and I wanted this story to be everything that I hoped it would be. In a way, it was. In another, it wasn't. As mentioned before, it took way too long for the two of them to meet, to actually have a conversation. A casual one that hinted at the respect they got for one another. In the beginning, Haven was mainly being mean to Canaan because for what he once did. And he gosh, he felt horrible about that, so get over it, Haven! I kind of disliked her. No clue why. In the beginning, she was described as kind of a slutty girl, but reading further along, I didn't get the impression. Still, I didn't like her. I'd always look forward to reading Canaan's chapters whenever I was stuck in a Haven chapter, haha.

About eighty percent of the book is about Haven crushing on Canaan, though he is a priest. Sometimes, she'd think of leaving him alone, only to end up knocking on the churche's door again later in the same chapter. And then all of a sudden, the end happened. Far too quick, considering how dragged their whole story was. The ending was rushed. That's my opinion anyway. Maybe other readers thought: "Finally!" and I was like that too, but at the same time, I thought to myself: "No! That's just... Not right."

I can't really give you an advice on whether you should read this book or not. It left me a bit disappointed, yes, but the writing was great, and reading about a priest who shouldn't fall in love with anyone is kind of thrilling too. Since this is my first read with this certain topic, I'd recommend it, yes.

Breaking Skin - Debra Doxer

Title: Breaking Skin
Author: Debra Doxer
Rating: 4/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for letting me receive a digital copy of this book before its official release date.

Dancing is like magic. It makes me disappear.

When I dance I’m not a sister or a daughter, not a lover or a friend. I exist in the moment, onstage, where I turn pain into art and pretend the illusion is real. My past is an abomination and my future is unwritten, but my present is pure, fluid, and focused. I’m content, or at least I think I am, until the night I meet a man who makes me want more.

He’s broken, just like me, but in different ways. He’s older and nothing like the men I’m used to. Compared to him, they’re all boys, immature and insipid, while he’s a force of nature, confident and virile. Virile is a word I’ve never used before, and I only use it now because he embodies it so completely.

At first, he fights the attraction between us almost as hard as I do. But when words like destiny and soulmate whisper through my thoughts, how can I ignore them? He can have any girl he wants, but he looks at me as if I’m the girl he’s waited for his whole life. How can I tell him I’m not that girl?

I wish I were enough for him, wish I were whole. But beneath my facade, I’ve been falling to pieces for a long time, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to resist the downward momentum.

In the beginning, I almost wanted to quit reading the book. I couldn't stand the prologue at all. I didn't like the writing and I didn't feel good about the story. There was a dark vibe to it, like the main character Nikki was some kind of hooker. Did I really just say that? I am sorry if it sounds offensive, I don't mean it like that. She just appeared to be something like that, a stripper maybe or perhaps I got that impression because of the location. Anyway, I didn't delete the book from my app and I am glad I didn't. It turned out to be a really great one.

How come a show about ballet is one of my favourites of all time, but I don't like any dance movies or books about dancing?! I have no idea. Being a dancer myself, I guess I get offended easily, because dancing is so much more than what these movies and books tell you. However, Debra Doxer didn't focus on the ballet topic. Well, she kind of did, making Nikki be a ballerina, but you won't be reading a story about a girl who spends twenty-four hours practicing in a studio. I'm glad for that. Her profession is an important part for the story and her doubts about a solo are real, but there's no nerve-racking competiton with another ballerina going on. Those are the worst.

Honestly, Breaking Skin is about love and trust and dealing with the past. It's about putting yourself first when necessary and counting on others when you're ready.

The writing and the character's voices improved with each chapter. I liked reading about the progress Nikki went through from page to page. Her life was never easy, but when she's with her niece, you read about a lighter version of that same Nikki. And I think the speed of Nikki's and Cole's relationship was just simply perfect. Often, I think everything happens a little too fast, and the period of time wasn't exactly a large one either, but it felt like it.

Judged on Nikki's sister's story, this book has got a mystery to it too. But it didn't overshadow the story, it just added some chills, some adventure to it.

I loved what Debra Doxer made Cole deal with. I have never read about that before and I think more novels, especially novels about sports, should pick this up. There's danger in everything, but these days, everyone is only after fame, being the best, never admitting when something feels wrong. And that can lead to horrible things, as read in Breaking Skin. And Cole's pretty lucky, considering the other guy we read about at the end. Sports people should take better care of themselves and their coaches should have the best intentions for their health, not for the winning.

One more thing I would like to speak about... Debra Doxer doesn't seem to care about the length of chapters. Luckily. There seem to be a lot of authors who write chapters that contain 7k words and end up having fifteen chapters in total. I don't know why it's become such a trend to write long chapters and have less chapters in total, but I don't like it. I like an organized book, chapters that make sense to me. Scenes and actions are great, but does a chapter really need twenty of them? I don't get it. Write fifty chapters if it makes you happy. I like that much better.

So, although my review doesn't really tell you anything about the plot, I highly recommend Breaking Skin. It's a refreshing story that will make you become Nikki, you will feel whatever she is feeling. Her character's voice is a really strong one and if you happen to like male point of views, I can tell you that Cole gets to tell his point of view a couple of times too. And gah, I loved those parts!

In Your Dreams (Falling #04) - Ginger Scott

Title: In Your Dreams (Falling #04)
Author: Ginger Scott
Rating: 4/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Captured Press for letting me receive a digital copy of this book.

Casey Coffield has a growing list of personal flaws he keeps locked away in his head:
He’s never on time.
His list of IOUs to his best friend is endless.
Money is always short.
Goals are never in reach.

Oh, and he’s decided to add college drop-out to that list, too. He doesn’t really think that last one’s such a bad thing, but his family insists it is, so it stays on the list.

On paper, he’s a zero. But in person, when he’s mixing tracks for a sea of bodies at the hottest clubs and parties, he’s downright irresistible. Just-right stubble on his chin, body of a boxer and a smirk that stimulates all the right nerves—women have never been a problem. They flock to his swagger and fall for his charm…fast.

All except for this one.

Purple hair, gray eyes, a raspy voice and sass, Murphy Sullivan is a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll. And her and Casey? They have history. He can’t remember it, but she wrote a song about him—and it’s not exactly a love song. But it is good. Damn good. And uncovering her inspiration just might be the key to solving a few of his shortcomings—not to mention open doors to his own big break in the music industry.

But sometimes dreams get messy when they collide. Sometimes life changes patterns. A past paints the wrong picture and futures get cloudy. The only question that remains is who will you choose when the dust settles—you? Or the girl of your dreams?

I've been a bad girl, I admit it. Usually, I am a very organized reader. I would never, never - and I repeat - never pick up the fourth book in a series when I still haven't read the third one. But I had to do it with this one. The Girl I Was Before is patiently waiting for me to be read on my eReader, but In Your Dreams screamed at me. Or maybe it was just my inner voice, telling me to read it before the download deadline is up.

Casey knows Murphy is the one for him - the one to make famous in order to be talked about as well. Years of trying to become a well-known DJ seem wasted to his father, who wants Casey to take up on a different path. Of course, he won't have it. That's why he's got to convince Murphy to sign with the label he's currently working with. Her voice is too good to not be heard. But developing feelings for her were never part of the plan - for either one of them. But what happens when dreams shatter and doubts grow?! (That has got to be my worst self-written summary ever. I am so sorry! It doesn't do the book justice.)

It's really weird. Normally, I hate stories about music. Don't get me wrong, I love music. It's the second best thing right after or maybe even along with reading. But I dislike the stories about rockstars who fall for the shy girl next door and such things. It's sweet, it's romantic, but also super boring and predictable to me. Maybe that's why I was so pleasantly surprised by Ginger Scott's book. I adore her work, she's super fabulous and one of my ultimate idols when it comes to writing, but she also managed to write a book about music, with the focus on it, but she didn't pressure it. There's no big celebrity in this who has it all and wants to find love. It's about two people finding their passion, finding each other. It was refreshing to all these other music-based books in the genre.

The plot is very realistic, which is so rare whenever an author decides to pick up this topic. And it wouldn't be a Ginger Scott book if there wasn't just the right amount of humor and tragic in it, too. As always, her characters all have their own voices, even those that aren't playing a main part for this book. I see Ginger posting pictures of her working next to baseball fields all the time and I can't help but wonder how she manages to be so good. I mean, that's a compliment. Obviously. But talking about the voices of the characters, it's a miracle she remembers everything about her story, about the history of the characters and such. And she seems to be a fast writer too. Oh my, so many reasons to be jealous of this woman.

I love the unusual scenes Ginger comes up with, like in one scene Murphy is taking care of her nose's pores. It might not sound romantic or whatever, but this scene was so important for the book. Fantasy is the best weapon and my, Ginger Scott has one perfect fantasy when it comes to her novels.

My favourite character was Lane, Murphy's brother - for obvious reasons. He is such a cutie. You know, this series might be one of the best ever, because the characters all have flaws, they aren't perfect and they know it, they struggle, they cry, they deal with things and then comes Lane who has every right to be upset and hate life, but he's this cute, positive thinking human being that shines so damn bright, it hurts. Reading about his and Casey's friendship always had me smiling.

I feel like I didn't write about the main characters. Uhm... There isn't much for me to say. Casey's a hottie and Murphy's... Well, Murphy. I wasn't sure whether I was gonna like her in the beginning, but reading about her family and seeing her defend herself, standing up to Casey made me change my mind.

I'm not sure why but I feel like, right now, I should declare a favourite in this series. But that's impossible. In Your Dreams really blew me away, but This Is Falling and You and Everything After did that too. It was strange to read about adult characters without them really being in an adult age. There's no mentioning of frat parties, sharing a bathroom with the rest of the dorm and such. But I am not complaining about that. It's what makes series so interesting - the characters become older, their life goes on. And Ginger Scott creates the best lives. Just saying. You should see for yourself.

The Sun In Her Eyes - Paige Toon

Title: The Sun In Her Eyes
Author: Paige Toon
Rating: 4/5

Blinding sunshine… A bend in the road… What became of the little girl with the sun in her eyes?

Amber was three when a car crash stole her mother's life. She doesn't remember the accident, but a stranger at the scene has been unable to forget. Now, almost thirty years later, she's trying to track Amber down.

Amber, meanwhile, is married to Ned and living on the other side of the world in London. When her father has a stroke, she flies straight home to Australia to be with him. Away from her husband, Amber finds comfort in her oldest friends, but her feelings for Ethan, the gorgeous, green-eyed man she once fell for, have never been platonic.

Again, I didn't receive this book in exchange for a review, but I wanted to share my love for it with anyone who is interested.

Actually, I am still a bit lost for words. I think this is the most emotional I have been after reading a novel written by Paige. It turned out so different than I originally thought. That's not a bad thing, but my emotions are still a mess. A real, fuzzy mess. Can't say I like that feeling too much. Yet, yes, of course I secretly aren't mad and admire Paige for having me feel this way.

There are so many small things that I loved about this book, starting with the fact that Paige takes us back on a journey through Australia. Alright, through Adelaide, to be exact, but I'm not picky, haha. My very, very favourite book will always be Pictures of Lily which is set down under as well, so at the mention of the country itself I became so excited. And then I read about Hahnsdorf, which almost had me in tears. Fans of Paige will understand me. I hope. I am not crazy, I swear. And then it's also the story idea that had me hooked. The way things were described with her father and the way she felt for Ethan when they were teenagers. Oh, my poor heart.

As Amber decides to go back to Australia to check up on her dad, she finds herself getting closer to Ethan, whom she always loved. He never loved her back, though and anyway, she has got a husband back in England. She shouldn't have feeling toward Ethan, right? She is happy, or so she tells herself. Truth is, I adored Ethan. And how much! It was only a bit closer to the end of the book that I felt confused about him. The way he spoke, the way he behaved. I never would have seen this coming.

You don't have to be Team Ethan in order to love this book or feel any emotion at all. You can become an emotional wreck being Team Ned (that's Amber's husband) too. It's nerve-racking, really. Paige is the best at that. So many feelings! I loved reading about how the two of them met, it was really important for the further actions. Everything about The Sun In Her Eyes was so well thought-through. I'm impressed. Starting with the sights we get into a person who just suffered from a stroke, to a woman who left behind her friends and now finds herself wanting to pick up where things ended, to a woman who is caught between two men she loves in a utterly different way that it makes your heart clench. It does! And every once in a while you'll find yourself asking: 'What would I do if I was Amber?' And though I hate to admit it, I think Paige Toon solved it out really brilliantly in the end.

I know I said I liked the country setting, but I also wanted to point out how I loved every single location. I loved reading about Ethan's family business, about the trip he and Amber went on (though that was one horrifying thing). The bars and clubs Amber and her friends went to. I found that amusing, because I usually dislike reading about party people, but it seemed fitting in here somehow. The characters had to connect to one another and that was obviously through meeting each other in bars. Is that what adult life is gonna be like?! haha.

A personal aspect I'd like to mention and let Paige know this - whenever I read lines written by her, I feel better. I feel a bit lighter. Like some burden has been lifted off my shoulders. And no one does that like Paige. I can be the worst mood possible, but when I get to start a new chapter in one of her books, I am connected to the characters and stop doubting things that I worried about before. And even if it's just for the shortest while, for the time amount I need to finish a book, I appreciate Paige's writing. Does this paragraph sound cheesy? I am sorry, but anyway. Thank you, Paige!

And when it comes to her books, I always find myself thinking of songs that remind me of the story, so here comes another playlist.

Darleen's playlist for The Sun In Her Eyes: (more titles might be added)

Hilary Duff - Tattoo (feat. Ed Sheeran)

Walking On Cars - Speeding Cars

Gwen Stefani - The Real Thing

The Summer Set - Where Are You Now (feat. Dia Frampton)

Meg Frampton - Say I Said Yes

Charlie Simpson - If I Lose It