Megan Erickson gives us another poignant road trip with Colin and Riley. This is more than just a chance meeting between two men who are both searchinMegan Erickson gives us another poignant road trip with Colin and Riley. This is more than just a chance meeting between two men who are both searching for what lies at the end of a journey. This is a beautiful story of falling in love, of learning to love one's self, and of realizing that love doesn't conquer all. But with sacrifice, trust, and patience, happily ever after is still possible. ...more
I didn't think I could love Max, not when I fell so hard for Alec in Make it Count. But I could tell Max had a side to him we hadn't seen yet, and MegI didn't think I could love Max, not when I fell so hard for Alec in Make it Count. But I could tell Max had a side to him we hadn't seen yet, and Megan Erickson absolutely delivered on letting us in on what makes Max MAX. And omg I do love this boy.
Make it Right touches on something we all can relate to--how hard it is to be vulnerable because being vulnerable means opening yourself up to the risk of being hurt, and both Max and Lea have their walls up for very valid reasons. But here's the things with walls--they keep out the bad, but they also block the good. And the good that Max and Lea bring to each other absolutely jumps off the page.
Max and Lea teach each other so much, not only about love but about forgiveness as well. It's only when our hero and heroine forgive themselves for the hurt they caused others--and forgive others for the hurt caused to them--that they can have a real shot at the happiness they both deserve. And YES. Max deserves a happy ending too. His is a true redemption story. All you need to do is meet his cat to know what kind of love Max is really capable of.
All the love for this book. Can't wait for book THREE!...more
Pieces of Olivia touches on so many issues college students face without forgetting that college is also a time to figure out who we are, what we wantPieces of Olivia touches on so many issues college students face without forgetting that college is also a time to figure out who we are, what we want, and who/what makes us happy. As much as Olivia has to deal with loss and the guilt over that loss, college also brings her to new people who help her move forward--Rose, Kara, and oh my...Preston. While this is a romance, it's also a story about friendship and family. West shows us that even though the NA years are those of more independent self discovery, it is still a time when we need people who love and support us to get us through much of what life throws at us. My favorite line: "We don't always have to walk through the tough stuff. Sometimes, if we're lucky, there are people willing to carry us." Looking forward to more NA titles by Melissa West. :)...more
Brenda St. John Brown, it's your fault I'm at work today on only four hours of sleep! But I wouldn't have it any other way.
You know how the TBR gets,Brenda St. John Brown, it's your fault I'm at work today on only four hours of sleep! But I wouldn't have it any other way.
You know how the TBR gets, and this book has been sitting on my kindle since its release. It's only been out a little over a month, and I still want to kick myself that it took me this long to read.
Swimming to Tokyo is gorgeous, an emotional, heart-wrenching debut. Zosia was the kind of heroine I could relate to--unsure of herself as she navigates big changes in her life. Not only is she still grieving the loss of her mother, but now she has to leave all that's familiar to spend a summer in Tokyo with her father who has to move there for work. Then there's Finn--oh Finn. This story may be told from Zosia's point of view, but this was as much Finn's story as it was hers, and Brenda St. John Brown masterfully lets his story unfold without us even realizing he's not the one telling it.
I love the way Zosia's experience with losing her mom helps her learn how to love a guy like Finn, and I love how Finn makes Zosia see herself in a way she never has before, always thinking a guy like Finn was out of her league.
This story is as much about family as it is about the building relationship between Zosia and Finn. It't emotional, steamy, and so full of heart. And let's not forget that this is an NA that takes place abroad, and the author brings Tokyo to life as much as she does her characters. Fabulous debut!...more
I fell in love with Talia and Bran in UPSIDE DOWN and am so happy to get back to their stories in SIDESWIPED. Lia Riley has the ability to wreak havocI fell in love with Talia and Bran in UPSIDE DOWN and am so happy to get back to their stories in SIDESWIPED. Lia Riley has the ability to wreak havoc on my heart one minute and make me laugh out loud the next. This book is not just a story of Talia and Bran's relationship but also their personal stories. Both have inner turmoil to deal with--Talia her sister's death, her OCD, her familial relationships and Bran his past along with his relationship with his family as well. It's not just an expiring visa that threatens to tear Talia and Bran apart but also their personal demons that they have to confront before they can have a solid relationship. Gah! Can't wait for book three now! INSIDE OUT!!!...more
A New Adult book about writers? YES PLEASE. Sneaking Candy is sweet, funny, sexy, and I love more and more seeing good guy love interests in NA, and hA New Adult book about writers? YES PLEASE. Sneaking Candy is sweet, funny, sexy, and I love more and more seeing good guy love interests in NA, and holy hell that's James.
I love that Burstein tackles the issue of feeling like a legitimate writer, whether it's Candice being conflicted about being an MFA student while writing erotica, Professor Dylan and his sophomore slump, or James and the secret that comes out about his writing past. As both a reader and a writer, I loved the writing issues the book dealt with and how it all played out in the end.
But oh this book is sweet and sexy too. Candice and James may only be a year apart in age, but the hot barista Candice gives her number to turns out to be an undergrad in the fiction class she teaches. Let me just say James can bring me a bag of apples any day.
Study abroad in Australia? Check. Complex hero/heroine who have their own stories in addition to their romance? Yep. UPSIDE DOWN has that too. Hot broStudy abroad in Australia? Check. Complex hero/heroine who have their own stories in addition to their romance? Yep. UPSIDE DOWN has that too. Hot broody hero who surfs? Yeah, that's quite the bonus.
I laughed a lot reading this book. Lia Riley's humor is quirky, original, and spot on. But I also had so many feels. Like all of the feelings. Both Bran and Talia have tragedy in their pasts that they are running from. But when the two run into each other (in the best sort of way two characters can meet), they find what they didn't know they were looking for.
Both Bran and Talia see each other in ways people they've known their whole lives haven't or can't. And it's exciting and terrifying all at the same time. I loved going on the emotional journey with these two...as well as the physical journey as they travel parts of Australia together.
Swoonworthy love story, excellent character growth, and witty humor--Lia Riley weaves it all into a story I didn't want to end. THIS is your next New Adult Romance!...more
I got to read an advanced copy of this book and I just have to say...wow. I loved Dearest Clementine. It was fun. Gavin was hotter than hell, and I laI got to read an advanced copy of this book and I just have to say...wow. I loved Dearest Clementine. It was fun. Gavin was hotter than hell, and I laughed. A lot. But Dani and Jax's story is a little different. There's still plenty of fun, funny, and hot (like WAY hot), but Lex Martin also hits you right in the feels with this one.
Dani is so strong, shouldering so much while at the same time struggling with her attraction to a guy she had a wild night with, who then didn't remember her afterwards, and who is also her roommate's TWIN. WUT? And Jax...poor, misguided Jax. He needs someone like Dani to help him turn his life around, and I love the memory issue here because it allows Jax to have some internal growth on his own without the book being all about him finding redemption solely through Dani.
The chemistry between Dani and Jax is palpable as are the emotional trials both have to endure on their own and together.
Finding Dandelion has everything, but a little warning--have some tissues nearby. Whether you are laughing or crying (oh yes...both), you're going to go through a lot. :)...more
A little bit mystery, even more funny, and a whole lot of sexy. Gavin Murphy, girls. That's all I have to say. Even his name is scorchingly hot. So isA little bit mystery, even more funny, and a whole lot of sexy. Gavin Murphy, girls. That's all I have to say. Even his name is scorchingly hot. So is this book!...more
THE SOUND OF US had me at Bon Jovi, Junie Baltimore's favorite band.
Ashley Poston's debut is one of my favorites in the NA category this year. From JuTHE SOUND OF US had me at Bon Jovi, Junie Baltimore's favorite band.
Ashley Poston's debut is one of my favorites in the NA category this year. From Junie's radio heart to Roman's broken heart, I just fell in love with these characters and the way each of them filled a space in each other, spaces they didn't know were missing until they met.
But this is more than an unlikely love story between a rock star (I mean POP star) and a small-town girl. It's a story of fame and the price of it, but at it's core, THE SOUND OF US is about finding your true self and owning that identity. There's great growth not just in Junie and Roman (I adore these two, btw) but in the secondary characters as well.
And man, THE SOUND OF US was just fun. Though bittersweet and even sad at times (Poston tugs at the heart strings well), for most of this book I just couldn't stop smiling.
Fantastic debut. Can't wait to see what's next....more
So sweet and fun and such a great example of NA, of two young people growing because of knowing each other but becoming their own people without each So sweet and fun and such a great example of NA, of two young people growing because of knowing each other but becoming their own people without each other. I read this in a day. Just loved it. ...more
I think Jessica Park's Flat-Out Love will always be one of my favorite books, and having just recently read it, I was nervous to read Left Drowning siI think Jessica Park's Flat-Out Love will always be one of my favorite books, and having just recently read it, I was nervous to read Left Drowning simply because I didn't think I could love characters more than FOL's Julie Seagle and the Watkins family. And I don't think I love them more, but I love the McGuires and the Shepherds just as much.
Blythe McGuire and her brother James experienced the unspeakable, losing their parents in the most devastating way. For four years, Blythe has been unraveling...until she meets the Shepherds. All of them, especially Chris, somehow save her and bring her back the world of the living. But what Blythe doesn't know are the secrets that have haunted the Shepherds for years, secrets that may make it impossible for Blythe and Chris to survive their intense, inexplicable connection.
There is definitely mature content in this book, particularly the sex scenes. One thing I will say, though, is that they are not by any means gratuitous. They fit so meaningfully with the story's content, though the reader won't fully understand this until the last quarter of this amazing book.
Everything between Blythe and her brother James, between Blythe and the Shepherds, is so uniquely and intimately intertwined, and the pure joy and heartache of unraveling it all will keep your heart racing until the beautiful, bittersweet end.
*I listened to this book on Audible, and the narrator, Amy McFadden, did a fabulous job. ...more
Flat Out Love was magnificent. Flat Out Matt is absolutely divine. Perfect. That last chapter? Wow. Thank you, Jessica Park, for giving us a beautifulFlat Out Love was magnificent. Flat Out Matt is absolutely divine. Perfect. That last chapter? Wow. Thank you, Jessica Park, for giving us a beautiful epilogue for Matt and Julie. These characters will be in my heart, always. ...more
Oh. My. God. This was wonderful, beautiful, heart-achingly magnificent. Wow.
There is not a lot I can say without giving spoilers, but Jessica Park haOh. My. God. This was wonderful, beautiful, heart-achingly magnificent. Wow.
There is not a lot I can say without giving spoilers, but Jessica Park has given us some of the most wonderful characters to grace the pages of a book. I fell in love with every single one of them: Julie, Matt, Celeste, Finn, Erin, and Roger. And the story? Oh good lord, this beautiful story.
Julie is a college freshman in Boston (from Ohio) who made the mistake of renting an apartment from Craigslist...an apartment that is actually a burrito restaurant. Julie's mom calls in a favor to her old college roommate, and just like that, Julie is living with the Watkins family. Her entrance into this family is funny, scary, beautiful, and shattering. What Julie gets from the Watkinses and what they get from her will fill your heart and tear it to pieces, and I would read it again just recreate the beautiful experience that was this book.
I read this on the Kindle initially but the hard copy will be delivered in two days (thanks, Prime!) because this book MUST be shared....more
Love Christina Lee taking the virgin trope and turning it on its ear! Avery's character experiences great growth throughout the story, and holy hell, Love Christina Lee taking the virgin trope and turning it on its ear! Avery's character experiences great growth throughout the story, and holy hell, Bennett--a tattoo artist good guy with nothing but integrity? Uh, more please! ...more
I love to see how much new adult literature is growing in popularity each day, and Brooklyn Skye's STRIPPED is exactly the kind of contemporary NA to I love to see how much new adult literature is growing in popularity each day, and Brooklyn Skye's STRIPPED is exactly the kind of contemporary NA to help do this.
Quinn Montgomery is freshman in college, and to put it mildly, she's got some emotional baggage in the way of a sister who took her own life and a family that's being torn apart by scandal. Because her father lost his job and her family cannot afford her tuition, Quinn finds the best-paying job out there--modeling for a college life drawing class. What she doesn't plan on finding is smart, artistic, athletic Torrin, the guy who might just break through her icy exterior but one that has some baggage of his own.
What I love about NA is how it bridges the gap between YA and adult literature, between the YA and adult experience. YA offers characters first-time experiences--first love, first kiss, first tragedy, etc, all within some safe-ish confines. In the new adult novel, STRIPPED, Quinn doesn't have the safety net of her parents. She's trying to go it alone, to navigate the loss of her sister (which she blames on her sister's heartache after a break-up), to deal with the public scandal her father caused, all the while vowing to never make her sister Zoe's mistake, which is falling in love.
The question is whether or not Quinn can avoid making the same mistakes her sister did, if living without loving is enough to save herself.
I loved Quinn. Her fear and devastation due to different types of loss are genuine. And Torrin. Torrin, Torrin, Torrin. Well, you'll just have to read to find out why his name gets four mentions in a row.
This is a lovely NA debut. Read it in a day....more
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