Review for I Like You, I Love Her by J.R. Rogue

I Like You, I Love Her by J.R. Rogue

Blurb:

In a lot of ways, I was one of the lucky ones. My high school crush liked me back. It should have been magic and fire, but it was tragic and brutal. I wrote it that way, anyways.

His name was Bryan Winthrop. He was our high school basketball star. The prom king. The most beautiful boy I had ever laid eyes on. He liked me — the theatre geek who never should have caught his eye — but he loved her.

It’s been more than 10 years since the homecoming dance. Since the night he kissed me, breaking both of our hearts for the first time.

After the scandal, after graduation, I left our small town and made a name for myself on Broadway, then in Hollywood. I didn’t mean for the play I wrote about our high school affair to blow up. I didn’t mean for it to reach all the way back to my roots, wreaking havoc, wrecking families.

Bryan Winthrop and I were not friends, not lovers.

But I’m back. And for one summer — if she lets us — maybe we can be.

Review:

I was lucky enough to get a ARC for I Like You I Love Her. There is just something about J.R. Rogue's books. This is her second novel and it has blown me away again. I loved her first book Kiss Me Like You Mean It. It was so beautifully written and the ending just, I still can't...

I Like You, I Love Her follows the story of Sevrin as she returns to her hometown and has to face her past. Told through alternating Past and Present chapters, it tells a compelling and unputdownable story about second chances, family, friendship and loving yourself.

What I love about this book, is that the characters are all so human, so relateable. It doesn't have perfect characters that are held up to an impossible standard or kept on a pedestal. It has flawed characters with a past that are trying to get to a better place. I loved the family and friendship dynamics shown in the book. It just speaks to the author's impeccable ability to portray the characters and interactions so well, that you can relate to it. 

I am so in love with J.R. Rogue's writing style. Her poetic background certainly shows through. It was both soft and thought provoking. The story just flows so well and I just couldn't wait to get back to reading the book as soon as I put it down. 

Overall, another beautifully written book that will resonate with the readers. 

Cover Reveal for Apocalypse 5 by Stacey Rourke

Apocalypse 5 by Stacey Rourke

Genre: Young Adult Sci-fi
Published by: Blackspot Books
Launching: Feb 12th 2019

Blurb: 

The end of the world is coming. How or when, scientists can’t agree upon. For decades, Earth’s best line of defense has been a team of young soldiers known as the Apocalypse Five, forced into virtual reality simulations to train for Doom’s Day. But, this is no game. Death on the grid is brutally final, and calls up the next in a long line of cadets. Stationed aboard the AT-1-NS Starship, the A5 are celebrities thrust into the limelight by a calling they didn’t choose.

All it takes is one unscheduled mission, showing seventeen-year-old team leader Detroit a harsh and unfathomable reality, to shake the A5’s belief in all they thought they knew. After questioning people with the power to destroy them, the team is framed for a crime they didn’t commit and marked for death. Now, the hunt is on. Can the Apocalypse Five expose the truth the starship would kill to keep hidden? Or, will their bravery end in a public execution?

Pre-order Link: https://amzn.to/2NEVl7r

Review for The Starfish Talisman by Lark Griffing

The Starfish Talisman by Lark Griffing

Blurb:

The secrets of the forbidden fourth floor…

Seventeen-year-old feisty Reagan James can’t imagine spending a summer on the coast with an eccentric aunt she’s never met.

But then, how bad could it be?

The second she steps foot into the massive house on the cliffs, one thing is clear: someone—or something—doesn’t want her there. With every new encounter, Reagan realizes that there’s more at stake than she could have imagined.

Suddenly, the strange happenings and whispers from the forbidden fourth floor cannot be ignored. Now, it’s up to Reagan to sift through all the lies to save herself from the evil that stalks her. But will the jealous vengeance from the past destroy everything for the future?

Review:

PLEASE TELL ME THERE WILL BE A BOOK 2!!!!! This book you guys, I can't even. ♥

Sometimes there's a book that you and you just know, you just know you are going to love it. That was this book for me. I saw the title and I was like yep, this is going to be a good one. And it was SO GOOD!!

The Starfish Talisman was funny, relateable and spooky. Let me tell you, I read every night till I fall asleep and you guys, I had to stop reading this one for a couple days because I was so spooked out. I couldn't read it at night and not start to hear things. My imagination was going wild!

I loved the characters, especially Wiley ♥ that doggo has my heart. All the characters felt well thought out and had their own distinct voice. Even the dogs. The myth around the story felt well thought out and was really intriguing. I can't wait to see what happens next.

The only thing is I wish that the book was a little more polished. Other than that this book was amazing.

I also loved the writing style. It flowed really well and had me hooked from page one. When a book keeps you up and reading, even when you're sick, you know it is a good one.

Will definitely re-read and beg the author for book 2. ;)

Overall, fantastically creepy read. LOVED IT!

Cover Reveal for I Like You, I Love Her by J. R. Rogue

Cover Reveal for I Like You, I Love Her by J.R. Rogue

Blurb: 

In a lot of ways, I was one of the lucky ones. My high school crush liked me back. It should have been magic and fire, but it was tragic and brutal. I wrote it that way, anyways.

Life Update

Wow August has been stressful af!

It feels like its just one thing after another. I think I have been running around just doing things to help and not really taking all that much time to decompress and relax. Can't really say much about who/what I was helping with, not my story to tell. Regardless it sucks.

Review for TS901: Dominion by Stacey Rourke and Tish Thawer

TS901: Dominion by Stacey Rourke and Tish Thawer

Blurb:

Risen from their literal hole in the ground, Thia, Lance, and her ‘Maly’ brethren have escaped The Hive and now face a full-on war. Welcoming the distraction from her abysmal love life, Thia throws herself into training the troops and claiming Nary bases.

Grateful to be of service again, Evan focuses on maneuvering their forces while fighting to break the icy bonds of betrayal still clutching Thia’s heart.

24 in 48 Readathon July 2018!

This past weekend was the 24 in 48 Readathon for July. It was my first Readathon challenge ever and the first #24in48 too.

The Challenge - For the uninitiated (yes, now that I have participated in one of these challenges, I have been initiated)

The premise of 24 in 48 Readathon / Challenge is simple - To Read for 24 hours out of the 48 hours of the weekend. Seems simple enough right?

The challenge appealed to me because -
A. Its endearing to me, the idea of reading together. I've always loved reading together, be it with my Mom - both of us reading our own books sharing the comfort of books and loving company, or with my book babes - one of us reading a book then forcing the rest to read or just picking and reading a book together. The idea of just reading with passionate book lovers from all around the world was something special for me. I mean if you think about it, someone across the globe from me was reading at the same time that I was reading. How could I not love it?
(I'm a ball of mush I know)

B. Its a book reading challenge! I mean how could I, a Third Generation Bookworm, not love it? Its not possible.

The TBR and What I Actually Read