Hate Thy Neighbor by S.M. Soto

Thank you to S.M. Soto and Social Butterfly PR for giving me an ARC to review.

This was a first book by S.M. Soto that I've read. I am incredibly happy that I got a chance to read this book now. I fell in love with the cover when I saw it in Instagram.

Hate Thy Neighbor is an enemies-to-lovers romance. One of my favorite tropes! There's a bit of romcom in there, too. I wouldn't say it's angsty, bu there's some angst in mix. It was a fast read for me. 

I can't remember when was the last time I was so angry while reading. Both of the main characters made me so angry. I questioned the decisions they made almost as often as I swooned over Roman Banks. 

Olivia moves to a new house. It's a first time that she'll be living alone. It seems like she has all her ducks in a row. She is determined to fix all the small things that are wrong in the house by herself. She wants to be independent and at first I can not understand why she is so adamant of it. But as the story goes on and we learn more about her past it makes sense. Olivia makes a few really bad decisions, at least I think so. But don't we all? 

Roman is Olivia's new neighbor. She wants to be polite and have good relationship with him. He's an ass to her. One prank leads to another and soon they are on war. Roman works hard and is determined to reach his goals and this prank war isn't helping him to reach those goals. We all love these a**hole heroes, right?

Slowly and with many setbacks their relationship starts to evolve. What do you need in every relationship in your life? Loyalty, love, caring, kindness, determination, will to fight for each other. You can find those things in their relationship, too. 

I loved the writing. The book is very beautifully written. There were things in this book that I loved. I loved the passion and loyalty. I loved how protective Roman was over Olivia. I loved that S.M. Soto showed that it doesn't matter where you come from, you can always fight to be better; that your past don't define you. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hate Thy Neighbor by S.M. Soto

2020

I Don't Want You by V. McFarlane

I received an ARC for an exchange for honest review.

I Don't Want You is a debut novel by V. McFarlane. This second-change, enemies-to-lovers book is going to keep you on it's hold. 

Violet loves to write songs for local bands. She doesn't seek for fame and money, she just wants to write music. She doesn't believe in fate or destiny or love that's written on stars. She believes that you need to work for your happiness. I think she might be right. I definitely believe in fate, but that's not all, you still need to do work if you want to reach your goals. So, you go girl! 

Jared is aspiring musician. He has a good heart and I think that he believes in a love at first sight. At least it seems like it. Jared makes his own music, writes songs about true love, soulmates and all those wonderful things that most of us are hoping to find.

Jared and Violet meet, he actually almost hits her with his car. They're living in this small town, where everyone knows each other. Violet is perfectly happy in her hometown, she doesn't want to live. Jared wants it all, fame and fortune, until Violet comes along. They fell in love fast. I love the way how Jared calls Violet "her flower". Swoon. He is getting offered a contract to record an album. He is ready to throw it all away for her. And what does she say; I don't want you.

It's funny how sometimes four little words can make so big difference. It can make your once warm and open heart to cold and closed. It can make your home feel nothing like home. That's why you should always think what you're saying. There are reasons why Violet said what she did, but boy, neither one of them survived without scars.

After three long years they meet again. Jared is a big rock star. Violet works in her family's restaurant. They meet and sparks fly. Jared states multiple times that "I don't want to want her. But I do. I don't want to hurt her. But I do." They need to find a common ground, but what does it take to be happy again?

If you love rock star romance as much as I do; I'll absolutely recommend this book to you. If you love second-chance romance then I'll recommend this book to you. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I Don't Want You by V. McFarlane

Independently published

2020

Favorites

We all have those, favorites. We have a favorite brand of shampoo, we have a favorite food, we have a favorite drink, favorite shirt, shoes, movie, tv show. The list just goes on.

I have posted about few of my favorite books. But there's no way that I could name only one book. My favorite books depends on my mood, it depends of what kind of books I've read lately. If I am on a romance kick it's highly possible that my favorite books are from that genre. If I'm reading a dystopian book, I'll remember all the good books on that genre has.

I have read thousands of books since I learned how to read. Growing up in a small town almost in middle of nowhere has it's good sides, but it also had it's bad sides. The libraries where nothing like in the big cities. The book stores (there were those when I was a kid) didn't have all the same books as the stores in big cities had. But I always found something to read. 

These days we have so many possibilities. We have e-books, paperbacks, audiobooks. We have libraries, Kindles, stores, online stores. I have ordered books around the world and there hasn't been a time when I haven't been able to find a book. I think that we're living in a readers world. Books are everywhere! You will definitely find a book you like, even if you say you're not a reader. There is a book out there that you'll like, I promise!

Favorite authors. You have those, right? I have favorite authors. I have had favorite authors, whose books aren't so important to me anymore. I think it's part of growing up and changing as a human. Your opinions change, your life changes and the books you read change, too. For now my favorite authors are Rebecca Yarros and Emma Scott. I haven't read every book that Mrs. Yarros has written nor I have loved every book Mrs. Scott has written. I don't believe that there is an author out there whose every book is perfect. That's impossible. There is no way that an author publishes 20 books and I love every single one of those books. I don't think that's the point, even. The reasons why these two are my favorite authors now has as much to do with their way to interact with their readers as their ability write amazing books. 

I admire other authors, too. Some just because of their ability write awesome books. I don't belong to their reader groups or anything. I just love the books they have written. Some authors I admire, because they are not afraid to open their mouths when they face something unfair. I might have not liked their books, but that's okay. 

Leave a comment and tell me what book is your favorite. You can find a few of my favorites in here. I'll try to do a new favorite post soon, maybe something else than a romance.

p.s. here's my IG if you want to check it out.

Kick Push / Coast by Jay McLean

It's impossible to tell how much I love skate boarding books. Too bad that I don't know how to skate at all. 

I have read few books by Jay McLean before. I think that almost everyone has read More Than This and if they haven't they totally should. Just make sure you've tissues nearby. Someone recommended Kick Push and Coast to me, when I stated how much I loved skate boarding. 

Sometimes you have this tiny problem with sports romance books. The book states that the hero plays some sport, but the book doesn't actually show the hero doing anything related to that said sport. The guy plays ice hockey and goes to practice, but we don't get to see what happens there. Do you know what I mean? 

In this duet we got to see what it was to actually skate whether it was for a fun or something you got paid for. That's a huge plus! Well done Jay McLean!

There is Josh (my favorite male name ever, btw 😍), who became a single father at the age of 17. Quite young, right? He has so many good qualities. He's a loving father, who would do anything for his son. He's loyal, funny, good looking (yep, how would I know? Because his good human and that makes him stunning), hard working. It's hard for him to ask help and he rarely does so. 

Then there is Becca. She has most beautiful eyes that Josh has ever seen. Becca doesn't let people in, she has her reasons. She likes to photograph and sees the world in a different perspective thanks to the lens of her camera. 

Becca and Josh meet when Tommy, Josh's son, is 3 years old. They became friends and there is something more swirling under the surface. Something that they finally start to explore. The summer is a short time to get to know to each other and when the summer turns to fall their paths diverge. 

So much more happens, but I won't even talk about it. You have to read the books to find out. These books are a statement of how you can really connect with other person even if you're a young and others say that it isn't real to feel so much towards someone else. These books are about love, about understanding and giving space. These books are about family; kids, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. But above else, these books tell you a story of friendship. How the friendships changes during the years. 

There were so many good moments in these books.  I am still amazed how Jay McLean can write books that are so depressing and joyful at the same time. She breaks your heart, but fills the pieces with happiness. She's a very talented author. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kick Push by Jay McLean

2015

Coast by Jay McLean

2016

The Girl In The Love Song by Emma Scott

Thank you for Emma Scott and Valentine PR for this ARC. 

I started reading this book as soon as it came to my Kindle. Sadly I had to work and had some health issues to deal with so I couldn't read the book right away. I was only able to read for few chapters. But now I'm done. I finished the whole book. 

It was so good. I don't even know if it's possible for Emma Scott to write a bad book. Maybe not. 

The Girl In The Love Song is the first book in Lost Boys -series. I think this was a bit more YA than other books by Emma Scott that I've read. But it still works for me. I would love to read the next books of the series, too. 

The book is divided in four sections and it's written in dual POV, which I absolutely love. I love the male POV and it was really cool that we had a lot of Miller's POV in this book. The book starts when the main characters, Miller and Violet, are 13 years old. 

Violet describes herself as a nerdy girl who has a crush for a quarterback. Violet has set her goal in med-school, she works hard to get in. Miller is something else. He's a loner with only few friends, but he's loyal to those he cares about. 

I don't even know what I can tell you about this book without spoiling. I loved how the characters were unsure about their behavior, but really sure about their feelings. I loved how they made bad decisions and good decisions. They struggled, but still went on with living. Because we all know that it's not easy task to grow up. 

Miller is a musician. I loved how Emma Scott has put on links to actual songs that Miller wrote to Violet. We have a chance to listen those songs while reading the book. LOVE IT! And I absolutely loved the songs, especially Wait For Me. Those lyrics will hound me for weeks. 

Violet wants to take care of people, especially Miller. She wants to be a doctor. She takes a good care of Miller. She wants him to be happy. 

I think that this is one of the best coming of age -books I've read for a while. Growing up is messy. This book shows you how messy it can really be. You struggle with your emotions and your relationship with your parents and friends. One day you're over the moon happy and next day you're feeling really low. That's growing up and it's supposed to be hard. But after all what matters the most is the love and hope. The people around you, they matter, too. You matter and your feelings matter. 

If you want to read the blurb, you can do it in here. But once again I urge you to go in blind.

I had all the feelings while reading. Emma Scott knows how to write an emotional book. She can make you cry and laugh, sometimes at the same time, too. This book shows you the ugly side of the humanity, but it also shows you all the good things that people are capable of doing. It shows you that love can hurt even when it's the right kind of love. Life is messy and wonderful, because "life's a journey, not a destination".

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

The Girl In The Love Song by Emma Scott

2020

Cheesy On The Eyes by Teagan Hunter

At first I want to say thank you to Teagan Hunter and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for giving me an ARC to review. Thank you!

Now I need to admit that I had forgotten how funny Teagan's characters are. I have read Texting-series, but I haven't read any book of this series. I might need to change that. 

You know that I don't like blurbs so I won't put the blurb in here, but you can check it out here if you want to. I once again started reading without knowing anything. 

In this book we have Thea and Sullivan. Don't you love those names? I sure do! Thea is so funny, she isn't afraid of what others might think about her (we all should be like that, right?) and she speaks what ever she wants. She's never left speechless. She knows what she likes and works towards getting it. She is young and working in industry that is considered for men. We get to meet Thea's family, too. 

Sullivan is the quiet one. He doesn't like to share his secrets, not even with his friends. He seems pretty wise and he can really read people. His past is left little mysterious, but we get to know his best friends. And let me tell you, they are a bunch of wild boys, who have hearts of gold.

Thea and Sullivan make a deal. Everything is sunshine and butterflies until one of them breaks the rules. 

This book just screams summer read. You want to read this book on the beach. Or in a pizza place. Whatever works for you. I prefer the beach. This is a happy read. I laughed out loud so many times while reading. 

You can read this as a standalone, because there's a different couple in every book of the series, but it kind of spoils what happens to some people of the previous books. I don't mind, I'll read the previous books of the series.

I don't like pizza, but I really liked this book! 

Because this whole Blogger has changed it's demeanor, I can't find my stars anymore. It sucks. Someone help me find my stars, please!

But this book gets FOUR STARS! 

Usually I post my favorite sentence from the book, but now I can't, because it would spoil the whole book. You just need to read the book!

FOUR STARS

Cheesy On The Eyes by Teagan Hunter

2020

edit. Ha, I found my stars. So, here I'll do it correctly.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cheesy On The Eyes by Teagan Hunter

2020

A Five-Minute Life by Emma Scott

I kind of lied in my last post. 

Remember when I said that I'll start reading with A Five-Minute Life? I had already started. Sorry! But on my defense, I started the book this morning and had only read something like 70 pages. I just finished the book.

I love Emma Scott! Her books always makes me cry. Her books melt my heart. She has this amazing talent to make readers feel the same things her characters feel. I know that I've said this before, but it's still true. I was going to say that I've read every book that she has ever written, but then I checked Goodreads and noticed that there's a few I still need to read. I have no idea how I have missed these books. I feel ashamed. 

I bought this book last year after the author stated that she'll release a book with a new cover. I knew this book, but haven't thought about getting a paperback, because shipping from US to here costs a lot. But I fell in love with the cover and had to have the original version. I did not read the blurb then and I did not read the blurb this morning, because I have a distinct memory of someone saying that it's best to go in blind. And as many of you know, I'll try to do that as often as I can. 

So, this book sat in my shelf for almost a year. From time to time I had a thought about reading it. Now after reading it, I really don't know why I waited for so long to read this amazing story. I feel like I need to say I'm sorry for not reading this sooner. 

Like I said, I love Emma Scott. She writes amazing books and gives these stories to us to read. She is really active with her readers. I really hope that someday I'll get a chance to meet her and get my copy of the book signed. 

I actually read the blurb just now. It's as amazing as the whole book. 

Thea lives her life in five minutes at time. She's trapped in her own mind without a way to escape. Jim is living his life in autopilot. He has learned to keep his head down and keep going, not to get too attached people around him. Thea and Jim meet. They get to know each other as much as it's possible inside the walls of Blue Ridge Sanitarium. 

Life isn't easy or fair. I think we all know it, some better than others, but still we all know it. Jim knows it better than anyone else. He's still this man who does everything in his power for others. He didn't let his messy childhood to dictate whether he has a good life or not. Jim is a caring man. 

Thea is trapped inside of her own mind. At the first part of the book we don't get to see much inside of her head. But what we see is amazing. She's a funny girl with amazing talent. In the second and the third part of the book we get to see more of her thoughts. She seems to be very independent and has a strong will. 

Even when everything is good, nothing is promised to us. Everything good can be taken from us in a matter of seconds. This book shows you this, but it also shows you so much more. This books shows you how it's to care about someone, who isn't always in here, content with this life as we know it. This book shows you how important it's to keep your promises or what's more important being right or being fair.  

I honestly don't know what I can write about. I am afraid that I'll spoil this book. I cried at the end of the book. All those feelings the characters felt... I cried so much that my kid threatened to hide my book. This book shows you that when you find love you hold on. 

My favorite quote from the whole book was "The past was done, and the future wasn't created yet. All we had is now." Because it's so true. Truest words I've read for a while, because in the end we don't have anything else than this moment here. Nothing more is promised to us. Please, stay safe.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Five-Minute Life by Emma Scott

Independently Published

2019