Unraveling Eleven by Jerri Chisholm

I waited this book for so long! Thank you for Entangled Teen and Jerri Chisholm for giving me an ARC to read and review!

I loved, so much loved, the first book of the series, Escaping Eleven. It triggered my memory of all those years ago when I used to read only YA-dystopian, books like Hunger Games, Divergent, Uglies, Delirium, Under The Never Sky, Matched... The list just keeps going.

I had high hopes with this one, too. But I knew that in reality the second book of trilogies are often not so perfect as the first ones were. But still I expected much. And the book sure delivered.

There were much stuff going on. The book mainly consentrates on Eve's struggles with herself. She has to make huge decisions and it affects the way she sees herself. It affects her relationship with Wren and with her friends. She has to decide what's more important to her; her own happines or the well-being of whole compound Eleven. 

Eve's struggles with herself are well written and believable. She's just a girl, 16 years old, and she has a whole faith of compound Eleven in her hands. 

I liked many things in this book, but it wasn't as good as the first one. I still like how Jessi Chisholm creates worlds. I could see myself in the corridors of Eleven. Reading this book felt like I met long-lost friends again. 

The book surely ended greatly. It will definitely peak your interest. Can't wait for the next book!

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Unraveling Eleven by Jerri Chisholm

Entangled Teen

2021

Puck Shy by Teagan Hunter

Thank you for Teagan Hunter and Valentine PR for giving me an ARC to read and review.

I have read Teagan Hunter's books before and I have liked the humor of the books. I kind of knew what to expect and this book did meet those expectations.

In Puck Shy we get to meet the girl, Harper, who loves all the scary things. She's an artist. She has some things in her past that still holds her back. We also meet Collin, the NHL superstar, who had some rough few months at the end of the last season and is now starting to get back on his feet, or skates. 

These two meet and sparkles fly. I would like to call their meeting each other as a meet cute, if you know what I mean. They share a car ride together, but neither one is brave enough to ask other ones contact information. 

Later they meet through a dating app. And this is where I think lays the Teagan Hunter's magic. She can write text conversations so incredibly well. I was so happy that there are these text messages through out the book. I enjoyed them a lot.

I liked the main characters and I liked the fact that the amount of the side characters was kept reasonable. I liked their character arc, I liked how the book was written, I smiled a lot. 

This book was a fast read for me, I read it almost in one sitting. There's not much drama, so this book is a happy book. I missed few popular culture references, since I can't watch or read any horror-stuff. I think that the only horror movie I have seen is The Ring and some say it's not horror at all, but it gave me many sleepless nights back in 2003. 😅😨

Over all, if you want a fast, enjoyable, funny friends-to-lovers romance with some steamy times, you should read this one. I know that I'll be reading the next book of the series!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Puck Shy by Teagan Hunter

2021

Famous Last Words by C.W. Farnsworth

Thank you for Grey's Promotions and C.W. Farnsworth for giving me an ARC to read and review. 

This was my first book by C.W. Farnsworth, but it will not be last. Famous Last Words hit my kindle late last night. I couldn't put it down. I needed to know how it ends.

To be honest, I have read tons of hockey romances. One of my favorite books ever is a hockey romance. This genre has some great books, but not every hockey romance isn't great. In my opinion, if you're saying that your book is hockey romance, there should be some hockey in that story. 

This book deliveres. There sure is some hockey action in this book. I liked how it (hockey) really felt one of the main things in this book. 

In Famous Last Words we meet Nora and Conor. They know each other, but are determined to avoid each other. But somehow they meet and talk. And there's a spark. They start spending time together and it's easier than they expected. 

I liked many things in this book. I liked the main characters. The chemistry between main characters was awesome. It felt real. I liked the banter and how they struggled with their feelings. 

I don't want to spoil anything, but there are much talk about loyalty and family. I can believe how much these two struggle with their own beliefs and how much you should be sidelines and watch the one you love to make their own mistakes. 

This book is great book with few heavy topics. I liked how C.W. Farnsworth made the world seem real. Her story building is awesome. Her characters have flaws. The story moves forward effortlessly. There aren't too many side characters and it was easy to keep track on them.

Famous Last Words is fast and easy read with lovable characters and great story line. I can absolutely recommend this to anyone who loves hockey romance, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers and some steamy times. 

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Famous Last Words  by C.W. Farnsworth 

2021

Mama's Boy by Avery Flynn

Thank you for Grey's Promotions and Avery Flynn for giving me an ARC to read and review.

This was my second book by Avery Flynn. I read Back to Burbs (which she has written with Tracy Wolf) earlier this year and I enjoyed the book. 

I have to admit that it took me too long to get in to this book. I always struggle with the third POV and did it this time, too. 

In this book we meet Dixon, who has made a bet with his cousins. Who will be the last man standing and win the last thing their grandmother left behind? Dixon thinks that he has the best plan ever, with this plan no woman will fall in love with him. And there's no chance that he will ever fall in love again. Once was enough and it left him with broken heart.

Fiona seems to fall in love with wrong people. Every man seems to be everything that she doesn't want or need. She sees Dixon's add in dating profile and decides to swipe right. There's no chance that she'll fall in love. She'll do everything that she can so she can talk about her grandmothers skincare line with the man, who can help her to make the product succeed.

These two meet and stuff happens. I won't tell anything more so I don't spoil the book. 

I liked some things in this book. I laughed few times and there were definitely funny moments in this book. I liked the dual POV. The main couple was sweet together. But there were few things I didn't like, like few incoherences.  Writing seemed a bit heavy from time to time. So many characters that it took some time to remember who was who.

This was fast read. Left me with happy feeling. Over all pretty good book. 

⭐⭐⭐½

Mama's Boy by Avery Flynn

Entangled: Amara

2021

All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata

I found this on my drafts. Seems that I have not posted this back in April. Sorry about that.

I can't believe that I have never before made a post about Mariana Zapata's book. To be honest I have only read five books by her, but they all were amazing!

I think it was around 2016 or 2017 when I first heard about Mariana Zapata. The whole book community went nuts over The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. Still this day it must be the most known book by her. I haven't read it, though. It took years after hearing about her, before I actually read a book written by her.

My first book by her was Wait For It and I absolutely fall in love with her writing. Mariana Zapata is known as a queen of slow burn. You know that I usually skip sex scenes if there are too many for my liking. The whole story and characters mean more to me than steamy scenes. So after all this, I don't care that the main characters doesn't get together until 75-80% of the book. 

My second book by her was Dear Aaron. Absolutely stunning book. I loved how characters connected through e-mails and messages. The third book I read was Luna and the Lie, amazing book with cool characters. Then last fall I read From Lukov With Love, a beautiful story of two broken people.

When I heard about All Rhodes Lead Here I bought it immediately. It was a bit of surprise when this book was released. I read the book. I can not say that it was a fast read, because there's over 500 pages in this book, but it didn't take too long to read the book. I was hooked from the beginning.

This was a bit of grumpy/sunshine -book and I really liked it. I like how the characters felt drawn to each other. There were some drama, but it all ended well. This is a great book for all of you slow burn  lovers. The characters had back stories and I could see the view MZ was so vividly describing in this book. I want to believe this kind of love. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata

2021

The Sinner by Emma Scott

Thank you for Emma Scott and Valentine PR for giving me an ARC to read and review!

Once again I had the privilege to read new Emma Scott -book beforehand. I am incredibly thankful! 

The Sinner is a paranormal romance. I rarely, very rarely, read those, but I love the way Emma Scott writes so I had to give this book a chance. Once again the words she wrote left speechless. 

I have no idea how much I can actually write, because I am afraid that I might spoil this book. I didn't read the blurb before I started reading the book. But I read the blurb just now hoping it might give me some guidelines with this review. 

I believe for something. I don't know if it's God or karma or just some major force that's bigger than us, but I truly believe that there's something out there. That something is definitely good. But I also believe in bad. We see so much of the bad everyday. We see it in ourselves, we see it in our fellow people. Emma Scott used a term inner demons in this book and I totally believe in those, too. They are all our insecurities and I listen them way more than I listen any other people. 

I have been a bit in a reading slump for a while. But this week (it's Sunday now) I finished Hush, Hush -series by Becca Fitzpatrick (review coming soon!) and there were same themes as there is in this book. Yesterday my kid, the one with the special needs, wanted to watch the movie, Coco. You know that one, where the kid goes to the land of the dead? So, somehow my this week has been consumed with the greater questions. Maybe this is the time when I am open to think about all these things.

Okay, back on track. I read this book in a day. It's so addictive. I couldn't put it down. I felt myself in Lucy in so many ways. She is an introvert, shy and has very simple life. She listens her inner voice that calls her "silly Lucy". Then one day there's a dead man outside of her apartment. But as it turns out, he isn't dead and maybe he isn't a man at all. 

I don't want to give anything more away from the story. You need to read and experience it yourself. But I will tell you that once again Emma Scott has written a beautiful book that will break your heart. I cried, my heart ached for these lovers who seemed to be doomed to live in loneliness from one life to another. Sure there twists I could see coming, but it didn't bother me, since all was very well written. I bet that Emma have needed to done a great deal of background work for this book, but it have paid of, since all felt real. 

I liked that there was mentioned a character from other Emma's book. I liked that this book really made you think on what you believe. I liked how Lucy has named her house plant. I liked the side characters. I loved the main characters. I liked that there wasn't too much violence. 

I am grateful that I had the chance to read this book. I have read Emma's books since 2017, not for a long, but long enough to have learned to love her work. It feels like I'm repeating myself in here, but I love the way she writes, it's so beautiful. I am grateful for so many things tonight. Thank you for this book, Emma Scott! There are no words to describe how much your written words mean to me!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Sinner by Emma Scott

2021

 

It's Raining Men by Julie Hammerle

Thank you for the author and Grey's Promotions for giving me an ARC to read and review!

I really liked the cover of the book. I think this kind of covers are popular these days in rom-coms, at least it seems that way, because so often you see them. But yeah, the cover of the book is nice. The blurb seemed promising, too. 

Dr. Annie Kyle sent a drunken text to all men in her contacts. The text stated that she's more than ready to get married and is looking for a husband to share her rare moments of outside of work. She's a doctor and her work is her priority. She gets few answers, but there's also someone else in the picture.

This is a age-gap romance, which I didn't know. I usually don't read those, but this time it was okay. And that's how I feel towards the whole book, it's okay. 

Some scenes felt unreal and I hated Annie's relationship with her best friend. I was furious, it seemed unhealthy and childish considering that these characters are in their forties. In my opinion we didn't get to see these characters to solve these problems. I would have liked to see, how they got to the point where they were at the end of the book.

Annie's dates with different men left me with a question why she actually went to the dates. After the beginning I was a bit afraid that this will be a love triangle book, but luckily it isn't one. 

The things I liked in this book. The first POV. The trigger warning in the beginning of the book. Joanne. Dax. The trivia-moments. 

After all, this is a fast read with some good moments. You can easily pass time with this book, it won't leave you with a book hangover.

⭐⭐⭐

It's Raining Men by Julie Hammerle

Entangled: Amara

2021

Broken Hearts by Rebecca Jenshak

Thank you for Valentine PR for giving me an ARC to read and review.

I have read Rebecca Jenshak's books before, at least one or two of them. But I have not read any previous books of Campus Nights -series, which would have been great, because one of the things that frustrated me while reading were the side characters.

I liked the blurb of this book. I had high hopes. I really love sports romance -books. But in some ways this book just wasn't for me. This was a fast read, but I didn't feel the connection with the book. The drama felt forced for me. 

The side characters. There were so many of them. After a while I stopped even trying to understand who's dating who and who's related to who. It felt a bit messy, but maybe reading the books in order you have known the characters beforehand. 

The things I liked in this book. The sports aspect was great. I loved how much they really spent time with their sports. You can call this a sports romance, because there really are sports in this book. I liked Sienna's name and adored her best friend. 

I really wanted to love this book and I feel sad, that I don't.

⭐⭐⭐

Broken Hearts by Rebecca Jenshak

2021

To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne

Thank you for Lauren Layne, NetGalley and Valentine PR for giving me an ARC to read and review.

I just want to say that this was the book that got me out of my reading slump, at least for temporarily. The book lured me in with great story line and good writing. I missed sleep, because I couldn't put the book down, but it was worth it.

To Sir, With Love is sweet, happy and charming romance novel with great characters and story line. This is a perfect book to read in a beach. It leaves you with a warm feeling about true love and how you can find it when you least expect it. To Sir, With Love is almost like a fairy tale for adults. The story line is great and the story moves forward smoothly without much drama. 

Gracie is in her mid-thirties and has set her dreams aside to keep her fathers dream alive. She flirts with the Sir, but they've never met, since all the flirting happens through the dating app. At the same time Gracie meets obstacles at the business side and every day it keeps getting harder to keep the business alive.

I really liked this book, it left me happy feelings. There was almost not drama at all. I liked Gracie, how she seemed to believe that she knows when she meets "the one".

Over all, this was a good read with great story line and likable characters!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne

Gallery Books

2021

 

Not You Again by Terri Osburn

Thank you for Grey's Promotions for letting me read and review this book.

Not You Again by Terri Osburn is a mix of womans fiction and comedy. The book has so many laughing out loud - things happening, but then again there are few moments when you can almost feel your heart breaking. 

This was my first time for reading a book by Terri Osburn. The book was funny and heart warming. It was fast to read. The banter between main characters makes you smile. I think that the best word to describe this book is cute. I liked how the characters had their own demons to battle and how the battle isn't always visible to others. 

This is a book for sunny Sunday and some cool drink. Imagine for sitting in the sun and reading a book, this is the book that occasion. 

⭐⭐⭐½

Not You Again by Terri Osburn

Macie Rae Publishing

2021

The Butterfly Effect by Kelly Elliott

Thank you for Grey's Promotions and Kelly Elliott for giving me an ARC to read and review.

This was my first book by Kelly Elliott. I am hoping to read more books by her in future. 

I fell in love with the cover of The Butterfly Effect. The cover is just so gorgeous, it melts my heart. I liked the blurb, too. For once I actually read the blurb. 

The Butterfly Effect is a first book of a brand new series, Boggy Creek Valley. The book is set in small fictional town in New Hampshire. The book is well written, the story flows forward on it's on own pace. Nothing feels rushed. The characters made mistakes and felt real most of the time. The story itself was okay for me, I am not a big fan of small-town romances. 

Willa is newly divorced mom of a baby boy. She manages her family's Apple Orchard and she's almost perfectly happy with her life. One night she meets Aiden again. She has loved Aiden since she was 15 years old. Now they might have a new chance to find each other again. 

This romance has many reasons to read it; a war-hero, best friends sibling/siblings best friend, single mom. I liked the dual POV, loved the Apple Orchard and military hero. There were few things that didn't fit me, but over all it's a solid read. So three stars for a story and the fourth for the Apple Orchard. 

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Butterfly Effect by Kelly Elliot

K. Elliot Enterprises, INC

2021

Back in the Burbs by Avery Flynn & Tracy Wolff

Thank you to Entangled Publishing, Valentine PR, NetGalley and authors Avery Flynn and Tracy Wolff for giving me an ARC to read and review!

Back in the Burbs hit my Kindle at 9 pm in Thursday night. I started reading it immediately and couldn't put it down until I had finished reading it. Luckily I didn't need to work today, so I could sleep in. 

In the book we meet Mallory, who has lost herself in past years. She hasn't been living the life she had wanted. So when the opportunity to move comes she takes her chances. She moves to suburbs to her a house that her great-aunt left her. First time in a long time she doesn't do what everybody around her wants her to do, but does what she wants to do. 

The house is in far worse shape than she thought, but luckily she meets a contractor who's willing to help her to get the house fixed. There's also a hot neighbor, who is very active to pointing out all the HOA violations her house is having. 

Slowly, but surely Mallory is getting back on her feet. She battles with too tall grass, she battles with her ex about divorce, she battles with her parents, she battles with income and she battles with her feelings towards men around her.

I believe that there are tons of Mallorys out there. Those people who have lost their selves in order to make someone else happy. That's a sad thing. I was incredibly happy to see how Mallory finally stood up for herself. I liked the way how Mallory found herself again. It made me happy.

This is a romantic comedy that will make you laugh out loud. It gives you joy and melts your heart. You feel warm and happy after reading. It's a quick summer read. The characters are well written, the story flows forward. The authors manage to get some feelings out of the readers, feelings like announce towards Mallory's family, happiness because Mallory is finally doing what she wants. That's a sign of a good book. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Back in the Burbs by Avery Flynn & Tracy Wolff

Entangled Publishing

2021

The Last Piece of His Heart by Emma Scott

Thank you for Valentine PR and Emma Scott for giving me an ARC to read and review!

The Last Piece of His Heart is the third and the final book of The Lost Boys -series. I have read both of the previous books and loved them. This book was a perfect ending for the series and I am afraid that no matter what I write on my review it won't do justice to the book. I don't know how it's possible, but every book by Emma Scott is better than the previous one and she makes me love her writing even more after every book she writes. 

We get to meet the both of the main characters in previous books and boy, how much I had fallen in love with Ronan already. He's the bad boy with tattoos and silent persona. I always fall for the bad guy 😍 Shiloh is this pretty girl with some serious life goals. She is extremely talented and has decided that making jewelry is what she wants to do with her life. 

Both of them have their demons. The past is what haunts both of them with different ways. One lashes out and other one closes everything inside. They are both determined to not to get involved with anyone. But as they meet the pull towards each other is too strong to ignore. 

Love is a messy thing. It doesn't ask questions or ask if you want to experience it. Love just comes your way and you try your best to navigate through your life with love in it. Love is also something we all want and need, love from family, friends, partner and pets. We also need to give love, because life without love can be extremely lonely.

I don't know what to say. I don't want to spoil this book. This book has a great world and great characters. It felt that I had waited for ages to read Ronan's story and I couldn't put the book down. I missed sleep, because of this book, but I'm not sorry. Only thing I am sorry for is the fact that now it's over, the story of the lost boys. Now we know what happened them, I miss them already!

This book contains some heavy subjects and it's meant for readers over 18 years old. This is a wonderful coming of age book. The characters in this book feel so real. Their feelings and actions are raw and real. The characters love and hate themselves, they lash out, fight, laugh, cry and above all feel and grow together. 

I have said this in every book review in this series, but Emma Scott knows how to write an emotional romance. She has an amazing talent to bring characters alive. She makes you feel and she breaks your heart with her beautiful writing. I cried so many times that I lost count, but the last pages is what completely broke me down. I couldn't stop crying and even now, few hours later I have tears in my eyes. 

This is one the books that I hope I could own a signed copy of. I don't know if I ever get a chance to actually have it, but I sure hope so. 

I hope that everyone reads this book. It's all I can say. I might need to go back and read few favorite chapters again. I absolutely adored this book! If I could, I would give this book a thousand stars. I can already say that this will be one of my top reads in this year! 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Last Piece of His Heart by Emma Scott

2021

Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan

Thank you for Montlake, Grey's Promo and Kristen Callihan for giving me an ARC to read and review.

I had no expectations while I started reading this book. Make It Sweet really managed to surprise me. I really enjoyed reading this book. Hoping to read a lot more books by Kristen Callihan.

In Make It Sweet we get to meet Emma, who is this really popular actress, however the life she has learned to love isn't like it used to be. She decides that she needs some time for herself so she heads to Rosemont, which is owned by her grandmother's friend.

In Rosemont Emma meets Lucian Osmond, the retired hockey player with great body. Lucian has been hiding from life in Rosemont. He's helping his grandma with Rosemont's upkeeping. 

Where as Emma is sweet and trying to stay positive, Lucian is grumpy and not-so-positive. Their attraction is instant, but they try their best to resist it. During the days they spend together they start to fall for each other. But it isn't always easy to fall in love. There are previous experiences and the expectations that are weighing you. There are the people around you and your head and thoughts, hopes and ideas. 

This book was sweet, fast and really sexy book. Perfect read for summer day (and why not for a winter day, too). I really liked how it was written, the first POV and male POV are always great to me. Great book with sweet HEA.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan

Montlake

2021

When We Met by Marni Mann

 Thank you for the ARC to Valentine PR and Marni Mann!

This was the first book by Marni Mann that I've read and I am kind of sad because of it. I've actually met Marni Mann. It was in September 2019 and the place was London. I had a huge privilege to meet her at Rare 19 London -event. I had a paperback copy of When Ashes Fall with me and she signed my copy. I had to tell her that I had not yet read her book, but I had a strong will to read the book. 

A few weeks before Rare 19 London I participated this discussion about ugly cry books in one of the book groups I belong. Michelle, my bookfriend, told me that When Ashes Fall was the saddest book that she has ever read. I had just bought the book and after Michelle's confession I was too afraid to read the book. Michelle asked me that if I actually get to meet Marni Mann I would tell her how much she loved the book and how much she still thinks about the hero. I was able to tell Marni Mann what Michelle asked me to tell and Michelle was so happy after hearing this. I promised to Michelle that I'll read the book. Sadly, few months after this Michelle passed away and I still haven't read the book. Every time I see the book on my shelf I feel a bit sad. I really need to read it sooner rather than later.

But back in this book, When We Met. I went in blind and I strongly recommend that to everyone who reads this book. It's absolutely the best way to start reading this awesome book. I really try to keep my review a spoiler free. 

In this book we meet Whitney and Caleb. They meet and fall in love. They struggle and try their best to navigate in the sea of life. That's basically all I can say without spoiling something. This book is a really great reading experience and I mean experience, because there's something happening in this book I haven't seen before. It confused me a bit, but in the end everything seemed obvious and I felt stupid.

This book is about love, the true love -kind love. The other important themes in this book are trust, happiness, finding your own path, staying true to yourself and telling how you feel to the people around you.

I really liked the way the book is written, it flows forward smoothly. This is a really unique book. I hope that you will read this book. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

When We Met by Marni Mann

Independently Published

2021

Rachel Out of Office by Christine Hovland

 I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. Thank you for letting me read this.

Rachel, Out of Office was my first book by Christine Hovland. The book is romantic comedy -kind of book. The book is about Rachel, who is a single-mom with a business. Rachel struggles with her life, she wants to be a perfect mom and she really wants to make her work perfectly. 

I think that the most of the moms out there recognize these same problems. Every mom wants what's best for her children and they do their absolute best to provide it to their children. Rachel has some problems with his ex-husband. She has problems with her work. She has the same problems we, the moms in real world, have. It made Rachel very likable and I could easily relate to her. 

I liked how the book had very little drama. I liked how the family worked, it felt real family. The tension and passion between Rachel and Travis was believable. I liked the twins and I really, really liked Travis. 

There were moments I found a little unbelievable, but nothing major. My main problem was the fact that the book was written in third POV, but that's just my problem. 

I really liked the ending and the fact that Rachel learned something that we all need to learn, no one is perfect and no one needs to be perfect.

This was a nice read with likable characters and plot. I can recommend this. 

⭐⭐⭐½

Rachel, Out of Office by Christine Hovland

2021