My Favorite Books of 2015: INK AND BONE, THE WRATH AND THE DAWN...

My 5 Favorite Books of 2015:




My Review of INK AND BONE by Rachel Caine:

OMG, y'all.  Words fail me. Not really, but how can I do justice to this book?

Having never read anything by Rachel Caine before, I didn't know what to expect. Now that I've finished INK AND BONE, I want to read everything she's ever written. How did this happen? I blame everyone who has ever read one of her books for not smacking me across the head and forcing one of them into my hands.

The pacing is dynamic, effortless, and I couldn't put it down. The story is brilliant, complex, and perfectly executed. The layers of character and conflict are so well handled that I'm in awe. Speaking of characters, I love them all. Each and every one of them is alive on the page. The book has everything. I plowed through it at warp speed, because I had to know what happened next, and now I want to read it again to savor the details. And I will read it again. It's going on my keeper shelf. INK AND BONE is the book by which I will judge all future books!

This one gets ALL THE STARS ***** and I need extra stars. I want to cover it in STARS.

*I received an electronic arc of this title from FirstToRead in exchange for an honest review and I honestly loved it.

Yes, you need this book in your life, so find it here on  Amazon or go to Goodreads for more places to buy.



Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (and the rest of the series as well):

Yes, I know it's been out for a while, but I just picked it up this year. There aren't enough happy adjectives. I love everything about this book. Flawless. Wow. It's that good. This is a series that I will re-read many times. Love.



Rodin's Lover by Heather Webb:

Last year, Ms. Webb made the list with BECOMING JOSEPHINE. I didn't even know I liked historicals until I picked it up. RODIN'S LOVER came out this year and I devoured it, as I will everything else Ms. Webb writes. She picks the most brilliant subjects and writes a perfect story. Yes, I gush.



Burned by Karen M. Moning:

BURNED is the 7th book in her fever series, and while I suppose it could stand alone, it shouldn't have to. If you haven't read the first, DARKFEVER, pick it up, but don't plan to accomplish much while you get lost in this series. Spoiler (but not a spoiler because I don't do spoilers): Barrons might be the most perfectly imperfect alpha male ever to grace a page. Sigh.



THE WRATH AND THE DAWN by Renee Ahdieh:

Technically I read an ARC of his in 2014 but it releases this year and I re-read it so I'm freaking counting it again. The next in the series doesn't release until 2016 and I'm already considering what, if any, illegal activities it might take to get my hands on it early. Mwahahaha.




Yeah, so this book makes six. *shrugs* But I had to add it anyway. There are some things about OUTLANDER that I love, love, love. The book is phenomenal, the characters are so well-drawn, and the story is complex and riveting. Jamie. Sigh. Enough said. Claire is brilliant. There are a few things that drew me out of the story, but they are all stylistic aspects of D. Gabaldon's writing. This is a first-person narrative, and the POV is that of Claire, but she summarizes other character's dialog that's not shown on the page, which (while reading) seems like a POV shift. I had to back-track a few times to get my bearings. But, the story is so amazing that I love it anyway. Overall, I very enthusiastically recommend this series and the STARZ adaptation, because OMG Sam Heughan is the perfect Jamie Frazer.

So, there's my list. Next year's list will likely be comprised of many 2015 releases because I have a TBR pile that could topple and crush me at any moment. Some books I have vowed to read in 2016:

SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertalli
AN EMBER IN THE ASHES by Sabaa Tahir
A THOUSAND PIECES OF YOU by Claudia Gray
MORE HAPPY THAN NOT by Adam Silvera

2016 books that I can't wait to get my hands on? Well, there are too many to mention all of them but THE ROSE AND THE DAGGER by Renee Ahdieh and FEVERSONG by Karen M. Moning top the list.

What are your favorite reads of 2015? What are you looking forward to in 2016? Share in the comments or find me on twitter @chellypike.

Happy New Year and Happy Reading,
Chelly

WENDY DARLING by Colleen Oakes

My November reviews:




Title: WENDY DARLING by Colleen Oakes

First the blurb:

Wendy Darling has a perfectly agreeable life with her parents and brothers in wealthy London, as well as a budding romance with Booth, the neighborhood bookseller’s son. But while their parents are at a ball, the charmingly beautiful Peter Pan comes to the Darling children’s nursery and—dazzled by this flying boy with god-like powers—they follow him out of the window and straight on to morning, to Neverland, a intoxicating island of feral freedom.

As time passes in Neverland, Wendy realizes that this Lost Boy’s paradise of turquoise seas, mermaids, and pirates holds terrible secrets rooted in blood and greed. As Peter’s grasp on her heart tightens, she struggles to remember where she came from—and begins to suspect that this island of dreams, and the boy who desires her—have the potential to transform into an everlasting nightmare.

What I thought:

This story started out slow for me, but I connected with some of the characters (namely Wendy, Booth, & Michael.) There was a lot of page space devoted to developing the setting and less devoted to character development. I had a hard time finishing this and, when I did finish, I'm still shaking my head wondering what I just read.

I don't usually do spoilers in reviews, but...I'm going to here, because I don't know how else to convey why I'm giving this two stars. (Highlight blank space below to view spoilers.)


Peter Pan shows up around the 30% mark and the Darling children head off to Neverland. I expected the action to pick up, and it did. Momentarily. There were pages and pages of scenery--the vegetation described in exacting detail, the lost boys, the tree--and I put the book away for a few weeks. Good instincts, I think.

Peter starts out charming and doting on Wendy. The go on an *adventure* to steal wine from Hook and Wendy starts to see more of the real Peter. Things quickly decline. Wendy remembers where she's from and her parents and all the things she'd forgotten, and wants to go home. Peter gets all possessive and rapey and WTF. He threatens to kill her brothers unless she agrees to love him.

So...basically, that's the plot. Oh, and Tink's in it too. She tries to kill Wendy a few times; after the last time, Peter beats the crap out of her.

I don't mind difficult themes in fiction. But I think it should have a purpose. This seems plot driven to me--as in there wasn't a plot and this stood in for one.

Overall, there were some parts I liked. Some of the scenes were beautifully detailed, but this book was not for me. I gave it two sad stars **

There are some glowing reviews for this title, so maybe it's just me. If you want to give it a try, find it on Goodreads and let me know what you thought.

*I received a free eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading,
Chelly

P.S. I love comments. Give me some book recommendations or just say hi. You can find me on twitter: @ChellyPike

THE UNFORTUNATE DECISIONS OF DAHLIA MOSS by Max Wirestone

Books, Books, and More Books for October:



My review of THE UNFORTUNATE DECISIONS OF DAHLIA MOSS:

First the blurb:

Meet Dahlia Moss, the reigning queen of unfortunate decision-making in the St. Louis area. Unemployed, broke, and on her last bowl of ramen, she's not living her best life. But that's all about to change.

Before Dahlia can make her life any messier on her own, she's offered a job. A job that she's woefully under-qualified for. A job that will lead her to a murder, an MMORPG, and possibly a fella (or two?).

Turns out unfortunate decisions abound, and she's just the girl to deal with them.

And from Amazon:

For fans of The Guild, New Girl, Scott Pilgrim, Big Bang Theory, Veronica Mars, or anyone who has ever geeked out about something.

The odds of Dahlia successfully navigating adulthood are 3,720 to 1. But never tell her the odds.

Meet Dahlia Moss, the reigning queen of unfortunate decision-making in the St. Louis area. Unemployed broke, and on her last bowl of ramen, she's not living her best life. But that's all about to change.

Before Dahlia can make her life any messier on her own she's offered a job. A job that she's woefully under-qualified for. A job that will lead her to a murder, an MMORPG, and possibly a fella (or two?).

Turns out unfortunate decisions abound, and she's just the girl to deal with them.

What I thought:

The voice in this is delightful. I know some don't like when the narrator addresses the reader directly, and there is a little bit of that here, but I enjoyed it immensely. The story is well-plotted and the pacing is quick. The characters are fully fleshed and fun. This book hooked me with the voice from the first page and I had a hard time putting it down. I definitely recommend this book and am adding this author to my must-read list.

*I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and I honestly loved it.

I give THE UNFORTUNATE DECISIONS OF DAHLIA MOSS five glowing stars ***** and hope you pick it up when it comes out on October 20th.

Preorder it at Amazon or go to Goodreads for more links and reviews. And then let me know what you think. I love comments, so drop me a comment and tell me what you're reading or tell me what I should be reading.

Happy reading,
Chelly

FIRSTS by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn / BLOOD AND SALT by Kim Liggett / A THOUSAND NIGHTS by E.K. Johnston / HUNTER by Mercedes Lackey

Here are my reviews for September:



My review of FIRSTS by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn:

First the blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Mercedes Ayres has an open-door policy when it comes to her bedroom, but only if the guy fulfills a specific criteria: he has to be a virgin. Mercedes lets the boys get their awkward, fumbling first times over with, and all she asks in return is that they give their girlfriends the perfect first time- the kind Mercedes never had herself.

Keeping what goes on in her bedroom a secret has been easy- so far. Her absentee mother isn’t home nearly enough to know about Mercedes’ extracurricular activities, and her uber-religious best friend, Angela, won’t even say the word “sex” until she gets married. But Mercedes doesn’t bank on Angela’s boyfriend finding out about her services and wanting a turn- or on Zach, who likes her for who she is instead of what she can do in bed.

When Mercedes’ perfect system falls apart, she has to find a way to salvage her reputation and figure out where her heart really belongs in the process. Funny, smart, and true-to-life, FIRSTS is a one-of-a-kind young adult novel about growing up.

My thoughts on FIRSTS:

I read this book in less than a day, which--to me--means the pacing is flawless. The characters are delightfully fleshed out, and Mercedes (a.k.a. Mercy) is perfectly flawed. Seriously flawed. Flawed in a way that makes girls unlikable to other girls and, really, everyone else, and I loved her. Damaged. Her logic is twisted in a way that makes sense only to her. And this book. Wow. I've lost the ability to craft sentences.

No spoilers, so just read this book. You get a gold star if you like unlikable characters because there is definitely a thick layer of unlikability here. And it's done in the best possible way--with all the feels. All of the characters are layered and real. The pacing makes this book a thrill-ride to the end, where you're waiting for the train to crash, because it has to crash, right?

I give this one all the shiny stars ***** and insist that everyone reads it. Insist. So pre-order it. Go to Amazon  or find it on Goodreads for more reviews and links. And since it's mean to taunt you with a book that you can't have until January 5, 2016, here are links to books you can buy that are perfect and out right now:

INK AND BONE by Rachel Caine

THE WRATH AND THE DAWN by Renee Ahdieh

HIT by Delilah S. Dawson

* I received an eARC of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and I honestly loved it.



My review of BLOOD AND SALT by Kim Liggett:

First the blurb:

Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn in this one-of-a-kind romantic horror.

“When you fall in love, you will carve out your heart and throw it into the deepest ocean. You will be all in—blood and salt.”

These are the last words Ash Larkin hears before her mother returns to the spiritual commune she escaped long ago. But when Ash follows her to Quivira, Kansas, something sinister and ancient waits among the rustling cornstalks of this village lost to time.

Ash is plagued by memories of her ancestor, Katia, which harken back to the town’s history of unrequited love and murder, alchemy and immortality. Charming traditions soon give way to a string of gruesome deaths, and Ash feels drawn to Dane, a forbidden boy with secrets of his own.

As the community prepares for a ceremony five hundred years in the making, Ash must fight not only to save her mother, but herself—and discover the truth about Quivira before it’s too late. Before she’s all in—blood and salt.

My thoughts on BLOOD AND SALT*:

The cover is delightfully creepy and the book definitely delivers on that promise. I mean, really, you had me at romantic horror, so I went into this with unrealistic expectations, but was continuously taken aback at the myriad twists and turns. This story is one of a kind, but thankfully not for long, because the next book in this duology will release next  Fall.

I loved Ash. I love her voice.

And she has a twin. Yes. I love the sibling aspect to the story. I love their banter.

The early interactions with her mother, well, I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that the set-up is very well done.

The corn, sigh, is setting personified. The creepy thrills keep coming right up until the ending. The romance is weaved into the story--like cornhusk wreaths and ropes and dolls--forbidden but fated, and seemingly doomed from the start. I wanted more at the end, but it's not really the end.

My only complaint is that there's a bit more narrative distance in the writing than I like in first person. Yes, the distance exemplifies the main character's struggle to feel like herself in light of everything happening to her, but I wanted to feel closer to the story. I wanted every aspect to be more visceral, more immediate.

I loved this book. I give it four perfectly creepy, romantic stars ****, and can't wait to devour the second book.

It releases on Sept. 22 and you can find it on Amazon or go to Goodreads for more reviews and links. Fair warning: you're going to want the hardcover as this one belongs on your keeper shelf.

*Thanks to Penguin's First To Read for a free eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.




My review of A THOUSAND NIGHTS by E.K. Johnston:

First the blurb:
Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.

And so she is taken in her sister's place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin's court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time. But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong.

Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air.

Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster.

What I thought:

I have many feelings about this book.

First, the language is beautiful. Very atmospheric. Clever dialog. Wonderful characters. The level of storytelling is so well-executed that I'm ashamed at how long it took me to notice that--with the exception of the king--the characters aren't named.

I loved the sister aspect of this story and the mc's selfless act. I loved the relationships she develops with the women. Loved the magic and the mystery.

I usually have problems with slower stories. But the beautiful way this story evolves kept me engaged to the end and the imagery pulled me through scenes that might've felt slow and plodding.

The end left me wanting more. I think that's the only aspect that left me a bit unsatisfied. The ending felt too rushed and maybe a little incomplete.

Overall, I really liked this and recommend it, but don't expect a romance,  because it's not.

*I received a copy of this title from Netgalley  in exchange for an honest review and I honestly enjoyed it a lot.

I give this one 4 stars **** and will very likely read it again. If you want to pick it up, it releases on October 6, 2015 by Disney Hyperion. Find it on Amazon or go to Goodreads for more reviews and links. And then tell me what you thought. Pretty please.



My review of HUNTER by Mercedes Lackey:

First the blurb:

Centuries ago, the barriers between our world and the Otherworld were slashed open allowing hideous fantastical monsters to wreak havoc; destroying entire cities in their wake. Now, people must live in enclosed communities, behind walls that keep them safe from the evil creatures constantly trying to break in. Only the corps of teen Hunters with lightning reflexes and magical abilities can protect the populace from the daily attacks.

Joyeaux Charmand is a mountain girl from a close knit village who comes to the big city to join the Hunters. Joy thinks she is only there to perform her civic duty and protect the capitol Cits, or civilians, but as cameras follow her every move, she soon learns that the more successful she is in her hunts, the more famous she becomes.

With millions of fans watching her on reality TV, Joy begins to realize that Apex is not all it seems. She is forced to question everything she grew up believing about the legendary Hunters and the very world she lives in. Soon she finds that her fame may be part of a deep conspiracy that threatens to upend the protective structure built to keep dark magic out. The monsters are getting in and it is up to Joy to find out why.

My thoughts:

HUNTER started off great for me. The premise drew me in, and the promise of it kept me reading. I found Joy, the MC, very engaging. She's in a new place--a turnip--and she's adjusting to city life. She befriends some of her fellow hunters. The author does a great job of fleshing out a few of the main players here and the landscape. There's a love interest, which I liked. About halfway through, the set-up started to feel less like a promise and more like a tease. The big bad Folk Joy encounters in the opening pages is hinted at over and over again. I get that this is likely the first in a series, but I wanted more to happen in this book. So as not to give too much away, I'll just say that the plotting and pacing began, for me, to deteriorate around the 75% mark--maybe a little sooner. The plot points toward the end were too obvious for my liking, and the first person narration flattened out a lot, to the point where the action felt like a list of things that happened. I did finish and I'm curious as to where this goes, but I was disappointed in the too-easy ending.

*I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

If I could give 2.5 stars, I would've, but I rounded up to 3 stars *** because I did enjoy the beginning of the story a lot.

You can find it on Amazon or go to Goodreads for more reviews and links to buy. And then tell me what you thought.

I love to hear from fellow readers. Drop me a comment or find me on twitter @ChellyPike.

Happy reading,
Chelly

RIDING DIRTY by Jill Sorenson & THE HEARTBEAT THIEF by AJ Krafton

Books, books, and more books for August:



My review of RIDING DIRTY by Jill Sorenson:

First the blurb:

He's her weapon of choice...

Psychologist Mia Richards wants revenge. Her new client, tattooed Cole "Shank" Shepherd, provides the perfect means. She just has to manipulate the felon-turned-informant into eliminating her husband's killers—members of Cole's rival motorcycle club. The first step, seducing Cole, is simple. As for walking away before she falls hard—it's already too late.…

Dirty Eleven practically raised Cole, and he plans to double-cross the cops rather than sell them out. But smart, sexy Mia is an irresistible distraction. While she's evaluating his mind, all he can think about is her body… until he discovers her true intentions. Walking a fine line between desire and betrayal, they'll have to outrun her past, his enemies and the law for a love that's dangerously real.

What I thought:

This was my first read by Jill Sorenson, and I'm hooked. Compelling characters. The sex is smoking hot.  It's fast paced and loaded with all the feels. I will definitely pick up the next one in this series. I highly recommend for those who like their romance on the steamier side.

I give it four red-hot stars **** and can't wait to devour the next in the series.

Buy it on Amazon or find more links and reviews on Goodreads.





My review of THE HEARTBEAT THIEF by A.J. Krafton:

First the blurb:

Haunted by a crushing fear of death, a young Victorian woman discovers the secret of eternal youth—she must surrender her life to attain it, and steal heartbeats to keep it.

In 1860 Surrey, a young woman has only one occupation: to marry. Senza Fyne is beautiful, intelligent, and lacks neither wealth nor connections. Finding a husband shouldn’t be difficult, not when she has her entire life before her.
But it’s not life that preoccupies her thoughts. It’s death—and that shadowy spectre haunts her every step.

So does Mr. Knell. Heart-thumpingly attractive, obviously eligible—he’d be her perfect match if only he wasn’t so macabre. All his talk about death, all that teasing about knowing how to avoid it…

When her mother arranges a courtship with another man, Senza is desperate for escape from a dull prescripted destiny. Impulsively, she takes Knell up on his offer. He casts a spell that frees her from the cruelty of time and the threat of death—but at a steep price. In order to maintain eternal youth, she must feed on the heartbeats of others.

It’s a little bit Jane Austen, a little bit Edgar Allen Poe, and a whole lot of stealing heartbeats in order to stay young and beautiful forever. From the posh London season to the back alleys of Whitechapel, across the Channel, across the Pond, across the seas of Time…

How far will Senza Fyne go to avoid Death?

What I thought:

I wanted to love this. The cover is gorgeous and the premise sounds great, but it was just too slow for me. The writing is edited--no typos--but the narrative is mostly exposition. I kept waiting for action that never happened. The pacing never picked up and I just couldn't get into it. For someone who likes a slower pace, maybe this would be a good fit, but for me it was only two stars.

To check it out, find it on Amazon or go to Goodreads for more reviews and links.

And then tell me what you think. I'm always looking for recommendations, so drop me a comment with your favorite reads or find me on twitter @ChellyPike.

Happy reading,
Chelly

GLASS HOUSES by Rachel Caine

GLASS HOUSES by Rachel Caine:

The Blurb:

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood. Will she be able to face the town's terror or will she drown like everyone else?

What I thought:

Okay, so I'm super late to the game on this one, but I read INK & BONE and loved it, so I'm starting in on some other Rachel Caine titles.

Even though everyone has likely already read this, I'm going to attempt to review this without spoilers because I hate, hate, hate spoilers. Super-smart Claire is easy to like. She's so smart that she's the youngest freshman on campus. I worried since I prefer older YA, but my worries were quickly put to rest. Ms. Caine is a master at storytelling and this novel proves it. The story is fast-paced, well-crafted, and full of twists and turns. A Great example of a great start to a series. I'm hooked.

I give it 4 1/2 glittering stars and recommend to all YA readers, young and old.

Find it on Amazon or go to Goodreads for more links.

Have you read it? Tell me what you thought. Do you have a favorite Rachel Caine title? Drop me a comment. I love comments.

Happy reading,
Chelly

INK & BONE by Rachel Caine

My Review of INK AND BONE by Rachel Caine:

OMG, y'all.  Words fail me. Not really, but how can I do justice to this book?

Having never read anything by Rachel Caine before, I didn't know what to expect. Now that I've finished INK AND BONE, I want to read everything she's ever written. How did this happen? I blame everyone who has ever read one of her books for not smacking me across the head and forcing one of them into my hands.

The pacing is dynamic, effortless, and I couldn't put it down. The story is brilliant, complex, and perfectly executed. The layers of character and conflict are so well handled that I'm in awe. Speaking of characters, I love them all. Each and every one of them is alive on the page. The book has everything. I plowed through it at warp speed, because I had to know what happened next, and now I want to read it again to savor the details. And I will read it again. It's going on my keeper shelf. INK AND BONE is the book by which I will judge all future books!

This one gets ALL THE STARS ***** and I need extra stars. I want to cover it in STARS.

*I received an electronic arc of this title from FirstToRead in exchange for an honest review and I honestly loved it.

Yes, you absolutely need this book in your life, so find it here on  Amazon or go to Goodreads for more places to buy.

As always, I hope my reviews help books find happy grabby hands, so let me know if you pick it up and what you think about it. :)

Happy reading,
Chelly

P.S. Thoughts and comments are always welcome and appreciated. Drop me a comment with recommendations or find me on twitter @ChellyPike

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INK AND BONE by Rachel Caine/ABOUT A GIRL by Sarah McCarry/THOSE GIRLS by Lauren Saft/COLD MOON by Alexandra Sokoloff/RAISONNE CURSE by Rinda Elliott

My Review of INK AND BONE by Rachel Caine:

My first review of the month and OMG, y'all.  Words fail me. Not really, but how can I do justice to this book?

Having never read anything by Rachel Caine before, I didn't know what to expect. Now that I've finished INK AND BONE, I want to read everything she's ever written. How did this happen? I blame everyone who has ever read one of her books for not smacking me across the head and forcing one of them into my hands.

The pacing is dynamic, effortless, and I couldn't put it down. The story is brilliant, complex, and perfectly executed. The layers of character and conflict are so well handled that I'm in awe. Speaking of characters, I love them all. Each and every one of them is alive on the page. The book has everything. I plowed through it at warp speed, because I had to know what happened next, and now I want to read it again to savor the details. And I will read it again. It's going on my keeper shelf. INK AND BONE is the book by which I will judge all future books!

This one gets ALL THE STARS ***** and I need extra stars. I want to cover it in STARS.

*I received an electronic arc of this title from FirstToRead in exchange for an honest review and I honestly loved it.

Yes, you absolutely need this book in your life, so find it here on  Amazon or go to Goodreads for more places to buy.

As always, I hope my reviews help books find happy grabby hands, so let me know if you pick it up and what you think about it. :)

Happy reading,
Chelly

P.S. Thoughts and comments are always welcome and appreciated. Drop me a comment with recommendations or find me on twitter @ChellyPike

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My review of ABOUT A GIRL by Sarah McCarry:

I received of ABOUT A GIRL from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and started reading with two false assumptions. First, based on the glorious cover, that it was a contemporary romance, and second, based on my own lack of research, that it was a stand-alone. I was obviously wrong on both counts.
Twists and turns. Fantastic elements. Smoking hot romance. Check. The voice, especially in the beginning, is a little bit of a smarty-pants roller coaster. I held on and went along for the ride. Once the story really gained momentum, holy crap, did it move.
The characters were complex and real. Love, love, love the diversity. I will read the first two, but this book definitely stands alone.

I rate this one FIVE STARS *****

Find a copy at Amazon or go to Goodreads for more reviews and links.

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My review* of THOSE GIRLS by Lauren Saft:

I started this book without any expectations and found myself staying up late to finish it. Told from the POV of three female MCs, this book gets both the insecurities of teenage life and that of toxic relationships completely right. Are they unlikeable? Yep. Did I enjoy reading about them? Yep. Did they seem like real people? Yep. Lauren Saft nailed the complex world of the dysfunctional teen in THOSE GIRLS. I can't wait to see what she does next.

I give THOSE GIRLS four and a half shiny stars and recommend for those who love an unlikable protagonist. I mean really unlikable, but so fun to watch. It was a like a magically entertaining train wreck.

If you like THOSE GIRLS and/or unlikeable MCs you might enjoy PRETTY LITTLE DIRTY by Amanda Boyden and SWAY by Kat Spears.

*I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Find it on Amazon or go to Goodreads for more links and reviews. Have great books to recommend? Drop me a comment or find me on Twitter @ChellyPike and send me review links. Thanks and there are more reviews below.

Happy reading,
Chelly

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My review* of COLD MOON by Alexandra Sokoloff:

COLD MOON is the third book in Alexandra Sokoloff's The Huntress series and it was worth the wait.

It's dark and riveting and I enjoyed the hell out of it. The pacing is quick, the dialog is sharp, and the tension, wow. The characters, well, it's damn near impossible not to root for the murderers, which says a lot about how complex and compelling are characterization are.

If you haven't read HUNTRESS MOON and BLOOD MOON, definitely read them first.

Alexandra Sokoloff is a master of the genre and is on my must-read list. And for writers, her books on writing are excellent tools of the craft.

This one gets all the stars: ***** and I highly recommend it and all of Ms. Sokoloff's other titles.

Find it on Amazon or go to Goodreads for more links and reviews.

What are your favorite thrillers? I'm always looking for recommendations.

Happy Reading,
Chelly
*I received a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review and I honestly loved it.

_______________________________________________

My review of Raisonne Curse (The Brothers Bernaux, #1) by Rinda Elliott:

I'm on the fence about this one. It's hard to review novels set in and about New Orleans written by non-natives. There were some moments that had me nodding and saying, "yep, she totally nailed it" and others where I was like, "wait, what? No. No. No."  

There's a bit of French/Cajun woven in, but, much as I love the language (I have fond memories of my grandmother hollering at me in French.), there was too much for my taste. It's for seasoning, yes, but I think a few one or two word expressions would have spiced this up just fine. As is, there are long strings of it and then--sometimes--a line that semi-sorta explains it. It just slowed things down for me and there were already enough bumps to slow me down.

I liked Elita and Pryor. They were great. Very likable. Very memorable. And the chemistry was hot, but I found the pace rather slow. Lots of telling and plenty of interruptions to pull me out of the narrative and I was just about ready to write this one off...

But then about 3/4 of the way through,  the pace kicked up into high gear. The story slowed to a lazy summer drawl, steamy and hot, and I was in it with Elita and Pryor. All the action. All the details. And I got sucked in--stayed up reading until it was done.

So I wanted the start to match the ending. More fleshed out scenes in the beginning, I think, would've help me connect with the characters sooner. Overall, a good story. I liked it, but I didn't love it. I give it three stars *** and recommend for die-hard PNR lovers. The premise is great, so I'm hoping the next one picks up where this one left off--with the same fast pace and steamy characters.

See for yourself. Find it on Goodreads and let me know what you think.

What are you reading? Drop me a comment with thoughts or recommendations and find me on twitter @chellypike.

Happy reading,
Chelly

HOOK'S REVENGE by Heidi Schulz / DAUGHTER OF DEEP SILENCE by Carrie Ryan / THE WRATH AND THE DAWN by Renee Ahdieh

My review of  THE PIRATE CODE (HOOK'S REVENGE 2)* by Heidi Schulz:

Loved this from the first page. I worried it wouldn't be as good as the first, but it's even better. The voice is delightfully inappropriate. Jocelyn and her pirate crew get it right even when they get it so wrong. No spoilers, but sigh, the bittersweet bits killed me. All the feels.

Yes, I taunted my 11yo with the fact that I was reading this before she could get her grubby little hands on it, but it's only fair since she stole my copy of Hook's Revenge and won't give it back. I can't wait to buy her the finished book when it's released.

This one gets all the stars ***** and I highly recommend for readers of all ages. Sorry to say you'll have to wait as this title won't be released until September 15, 2015, but it is available for pre-order, so find it at Amazon or go to Goodreads for more links.

*I received a copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I honestly loved it!




My review of DAUGHTER OF DEEP SILENCE by Carrie Ryan:

First let me say the cover is gorgeous. OMG I need that dress. Okay. Moving on.

DAUGHTER OF DEEP SILENCE is certainly the thriller it claims to be. The first page sets the pace and the following chapters race toward the finish line. Lots of tension to keep those pages turning. Frances is a compelling character. Though not always likeable, she's that perfect blend of likeable/unlikeable that I go for. I love her inner struggle. The romance. All the feels. Her plan. The story is beautifully detailed and carefully plotted. The ending is spectacular. I've seen reviews that wanted the ending tied up a different way, but I loved it and wouldn't change a thing.

All that said, there was one small spot that tripped me up--her road trip--because there shouldn't be any bodies in her parents' graves it made her reason for being there a little too obvious to me [highlight to see not really spoiler-y detail, but still, viewer discretion], but that's just one little nitpick. Overall I really enjoyed this and will definitely recommend this book. Seriously, you need it, go buy it.

I give it four very solid stars: ****

Find it at  Amazon  or check it out on  Goodreads  for more links.

I love, love, love making book connections. Are you dying to read this one? Have you read it? What did you think? Any other new books that I must read? I love recommendations.

Happy Reading,
Chelly


*I received a digital copy of this title from First To Read in exchange for an honest review.






My review of THE WRATH & THE DAWN by Renee Ahdieh:

The Wrath & The Dawn is perfectly executed from cover to cover. The setting is a richly imagined backdrop for a cast of beautifully flawed characters. I couldn't put it down. My brain is bleeding adverbs because I want to say all the nice things without all the spoilery. And I can't stop thinking about it. Waiting for the sequel will be torture but this book was so worth the pain. Seriously, you must read this book. I received an ARC via a giveaway from her lovely agent Barbara Poelle and I seriously want to hug her even though I'm not that kind of girl and it's not that kind of party. THE WRATH & THE DAWN is a romance wrapped up in a mystery pasted onto a backdrop of an exotic setting and tied neatly together with richly imagined characters and a steady pace that drags you through to the end--this story checks all the boxes.

I give this one all the stars. ALL THE STARS! *****

Release date: 5/12/15
Order from  Amazon or find more links at Goodreads

Happy Reading,
Chelly

P.S. I've already pre-ordered even though I have an ARC and have read it twice, because I need to have a finished copy. Don't judge unless you've read it. Have you read it yet? I can't wait for it to publish so I can gush about it with the masses. Feel free to gush with me. :)

HIT by Delilah S. Dawson / RODIN'S LOVER by Heather Webb

My Review of HIT by Delilah S. Dawson:




OMG. Found this on PulseIt and devoured this in one sitting while I was supposed to be working. Fast paced and full of perfect details and so amazing. Love Patsy and Wyatt and the dog, OMG the dog. All the feels. I loved this book. I need the next one now. All the stars. All the stars. I can't recommend this book enough.

Find it on Amazon or for more link go to Goodreads for more links.




My Review of RODIN'S LOVER by Heather Webb:



Last year, Ms. Webb made her debut with BECOMING JOSPHINE and I didn't even know I liked historicals until I picked it up. It was one of my favorite books last year. RODIN'S LOVER is just as brilliantly written. She picks the most fascinating subjects and writes a perfect story. Yes, I gush. Ms. Webb weaves a compelling narrative. It shoved me into Camille Claudel's life and forced me to turn the pages. I highly recommend to reader of historical fiction, historical romance, and anyone who loves a well-told story. This one gets all the stars. *****

Find it on Amazon or go to Goodreads for more links.

As always, I hope my reviews helps books find happy grabby hands so let me know if you pick it up and what you think about it. Also, I'm always looking for recommendations. Leave me a comment if you'd like to share.

Happy reading,
Chelly

HOW TO PUNISH YOUR PLAYBOY by Mina Vaughn:

My review of HOW TO PUNISH YOUR PLAYBOY by Mina Vaughn:



HOW TO PUNISH YOU PLAYBOY is book 3 in Mina Vaughn's DommeNation series. Mistress of 'Kink with a Wink', Mina's books never disappoint. This is a fun, fast read with lots of feels and plenty of hot, hot, hot moments. Veronika is a pinup. Aston is a chef. There's bondage and did I mention the smokin' hot sex? Add a road trip to Vegas, a jealous ex, and sexy cars and you've got a recipe for a delicious read. ****

Find it here: Amazon or for more links, head over to Goodreads for more links. I was provided a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As always, I hope my reviews helps books find happy grabby hands so let me know if you pick it up and what you think about it. :)

Happy reading,
Chelly

P.S. Drop me a comment with recommendations.

DYING FOR HER by Kory M. Shrum:

My Review of DYING FOR HER by Kory M. Shrum:



DYING FOR HER is the third book in the Jesse Sullivan series. I fell in love with the premise from book one. Jesse is a necronite, meaning she has NRD, a condition that allows her to die and wake up again. Without giving too much away, Jesse is part of a government program where people with NRD are paired with remote viewers--people who can see the future. The remote viewers--AMPs--foretell when people will die, and Jesse takes their place, dying so they don't have to.

It's hard to define books one and two without spurting a bunch of spoilery spoilers, so I won't. Just read them.

This book takes a step back, throws us into the head of Brinkley, Jesse's handler. Gloria, an AMP, foretells Brinkley's death, and we get to see his take on the journey that placed Jesse on her current path.

Books one and two, I read for premise alone. Yes, the characters were fun and Jesse is just the right amount of snarky, but they relied a little too heavily on telling, and I found it hard to connect. The premise, the action, forced me to pound through to the end. This one, sigh. I love Brinkley's voice. Everything is there on the page. All the squishy, messy feels. I tore through this book in two days. Let it perk for a few days, and read it again. Again. It's fleshed out in the best possible way. Brinkley. Gloria. The camaraderie between them is perfect. I would say more but I detest spoilery in reviews, so just read it. *****

The first book: DYING BY THE HOUR is free right now at Amazon. If you're already caught up on the series then you need DYING FOR HER because it's the best in the series so far, in my opinion and I give it all the stars. I was provided a free copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think. And here are more links:

Amazon
Nook
Smashwords
Kobo
iBooks

Happy reading,
Chelly

P.S. I'm one of those people who will thank you if you point out typos. :)

THE STRANGLER VINE by M.J. Carter / EASY TOYS TO CROCHET by Claire Garland / TAINTED BLOOD by Karen Greco

Here are some of my reads for March:



THE STRANGLER VINE by M.J. Carter:

This is my favorite read this month. I picked this up because of the cover. Something about it spoke to me, and good thing since it isn't the type of book I'd normally give a second glance. Exotic location. Check. Lush description. Check. Action. Check. Mystery. Check. This one checks off all the boxes. The voice is compelling. The writing is so well done that I didn't care that there were foreign words because I could grasp from context what the narrator was describing. And the characters. Wow. So clearly drawn. Fully-fleshed and alive on the page. I got to the last page and wanted to keep reading. This one is going on the keeper shelf and gets all the stars. *****

Find it at Goodreads or Amazon. It might still be on NetGalley, which provided a free copy in exchange for this honest review.


EASY TO CROCHET TOYS by Claire Garland:

This book is adorable. The crafts are super-cute and, I've only worked up one of the patterns so far, but it worked up fast and my 3yo loves it. Next to make some clothes. The only downside, and seriously, it's not a downside, is that my girls want everything in the book. I'm helping my 11yo with the basics so she can make a few things on her own. I will definitely recommend this for crafters. The toys are perfect for keeping little ones busy and also, if I can hide them from my own kids, will make great gifts. ****

Find it here:  Amazon    or    Goodreads    or   NetGalley, which provided a free copy in exchange for this honest review.


TAINTED BLOOD by Karen Greco:

Sorry to say I didn't love this book. The premise had all the things I love. Urban Fantasy. Kick-ass chick with attitude. A different take on a genre trope. But. But. But. I make it to about 40%, hoping it would get better, and couldn't finish it. I couldn't connect with the voice and the craft just isn't there yet. This is the second book in the series, and--full disclosure--I haven't read the first, however, there is so much backstory pumped into this novel that I don't need to. There's backstory about backstory. It seems the author wants to make sure every detail is clearly stated and thus feels the need to repeat herself often. It became very tedious to slog through it. There is action, but it's mostly telling and peppered with adverbs. The premise holds a lot of promise, but I can't recommend this book. *

If you want to give it a try, you can find it at Amazon or check NetGalley, which is where I received a free copy in exchange for this honest review.

I read a lot of books and try to review as many as I can, but some books don't seem to warrant their own post, and sometimes I receive free books in exchange for an honest review and I don't love them, so I lump them together with other reviews because I don't, as a habit, like to shine a spotlight on books I didn't like. As easy as it is to write up a scathing review, someone put a lot of hard work into crafting those pages and I don't see the point in stomping all over it to get a laugh. Period.

Do you leave reviews for books you don't like? How do you handle it when you read a book authored by someone you know and you don't love it, or worse, you hate it?

On a happier note, what are your favorite reads for March? I'm always looking for recommendations. Leave me a comment if you'd like to share.

Happy reading,
Chelly

My review of GRACED by Amanda Pillar

The premise carries this story very well. The characters are alive on the page. The MC, Elle is tough and likable. The different classes, vampires, humans, and werewolves are clearly defined. Adding in a new class, the graced, makes this story stand out. The author does a good job with the romance between Elle and Clay. I liked the witty back and forth. Every now and then there was a splash of dialog that didn't work for me, but overall I really liked the story. The only major flaw, for me, obvi My review of GRACED by Amanda Pillar: GRACED is a new twist on the same old vampire/werewolf trope, where a separate class of humans, The Graced, distinguishable by their eye colors, are hiding their supernatural powers from vampires and werewolves who have a higher standing in society. I think the premise carries this story very well. The MC, Elle is tough and likable. The characters are alive on the page. The different classes--vampires, humans, and werewolves are clearly defined. Adding in a new class, the graced, makes this story stand out for me. The author does a good job with the romance between Elle and Clay. I liked their witty back and forth. Every now and then there was a splash of dialog that didn't work for me, but overall I really enjoyed this story. The only major flaw, for me, obviously, since it's entirely subjective, is that all the sex is behind closed doors, which I wasn't expecting based on the genre. Otherwise, a very good read and I will definitely recommend it. I give this 3.5 glittering stars and, in the spirit of fairness, I've rounded up my rating on review sites, since they don't do half stars and my biggest complaint was the lack of sex. So, clearly I like to see the sex. I think a well-written sex scene helps to show the relationship growing (ha. ha.) between two characters, especially during the beginning of the relationship. How do you like your romance? Sex on the page? Off the page? Does explicit sex make you cringe or do you seek out books with a super-steamy rating? How do you like your book sex? Very curious to see how everyone else feels about this. Check it out for yourself. Find GRACED on Goodreads or Amazon. It's also on NetGalley, which provided a free copy in exchange for this honest review. Happy reading, Chelly

My Review of THE AWESOME by Eva Darrows:

My Review of THE AWESOME by Eva Darrows:

Wow. Holy expletives, Batman.

Love the voice in this one. It was a wild ride from start to finish. So perfectly irreverent and plenty of feels.

The world is unique and the characters are fully-fleshed. The character's actions felt true to YA and the genre. Every now and then, there was the maybe-trying-too-hard factor--a few extra words to push the idea over the top--but it didn't detract from the story.

Research-wise, Glock's don't have safeties, but maybe that will be corrected before the official publication. Otherwise, this is an awesome read so the title is incredibly fitting and I will recommend the fuck out of it.

I give it 4 1/2 glorious fucking stars and will add Eva Darrows to my must-read list.

Find it here: Goodreads which has all the usual links. NetGalley provided a copy in exchange for an honest review and I honestly loved it, so go buy it now.

Have you read it? How do you feel about profanity in YA?

Any UF recommendations, YA or adult? I'm always looking for new authors.

Happy reading,
Chelly

BURNED by Karen Marie Moning:

Burned (Fever #7)

by Karen Marie Moning

It’s easy to walk away from lies. Power is another thing.

MacKayla Lane would do anything to save the home she loves. A gifted sidhe-seer, she’s already fought and defeated the deadly Sinsar Dubh—an ancient book of terrible evil—yet its hold on her has never been stronger.

When the wall that protected humans from the seductive, insatiable Fae was destroyed on Halloween, long-imprisoned immortals ravaged the planet. Now Dublin is a war zone with factions battling for control. As the city heats up and the ice left by the Hoar Frost King melts, tempers flare, passions run red-hot, and dangerous lines get crossed. 

Seelie and Unseelie vie for power against nine ancient immortals who have governed Dublin for millennia; a rival band of sidhe-seers invades the city, determined to claim it for their own; Mac’s former protégé and best friend, Dani “Mega” O’Malley, is now her fierce enemy; and even more urgent, Highland druid Christian MacKeltar has been captured by the Crimson Hag and is being driven deeper into Unseelie madness with each passing day. The only one Mac can depend on is the powerful, dangerous immortal Jericho Barrons, but even their fiery bond is tested by betrayal.

It’s a world where staying alive is a constant struggle, the line between good and evil gets blurred, and every alliance comes at a price. In an epic battle against dark forces, Mac must decide who she can trust, and what her survival is ultimately worth.

What I thought: 

The Fever Series is hands-down my favorite series. Period. Barrons is probably the most-perfectly written alpha male in all of forever.

Ms. Moning has mastered the art of delving deep into the layers of a character and making them come alive on the page. They're so real that I freaking dream about them. I've been dying to read this book for two years. In the meantime, there's been so much speculation as to where the series was going.

Reading some of the reviews for book #6 ICED, I see some people were unhappy where Ms. Moning took the series--making Dani the main POV character. Everyone is, of course, entitled to their own opinion, but I didn't see the problem. Yes Dani was 14, yes all the other characters (i.e. the men in the series) are college age or older, but I didn't get the inappropriate vibe at all. I really enjoyed Dani's voice, her spirit, and, let's face it, she's not exactly sheltered, right? But, to me, it didn't feel like a bunch of old dudes were lusting after a teenager.

Onto book #7, BURNED:

Ms. Moning managed to do something here that, I think, most authors struggle with after the two main characters reach their Happily Ever After: there is still tension between Mac and Barrons. A lot of it. Tension is good; it makes the reader want to keep reading. I did.

Some reviewers have raked this book, and its author, over the coals, saying making Mac the main POV character was a sell-out--caving into the almighty dollar. I couldn't disagree more. Is Mac the same ass-kicking girl from book 5? No. Did I expect her to be? No. She's facing the same problem on a different front. If she acted exactly the same, where's the story in that? Could someone else have narrated this book? Good question. I don't see how.

With the exception of one--which I can't give away--none of the story lines are neatly tied with a bow. Because the story isn't over. I like the additional POVs here. They add to the complexity of the narrative and I think they're absolutely necessary for the reader to get the big picture. Did I want more? Yes. I would've like a little more of Dani toward the beginning (no spoilers) and I'm not sure how I feel about the twist at the end, because I saw it coming and was only surprised that Ms. Moning didn't leave it hanging until the next book.

As a whole, I loved this book. I will re-read it, probably multiple times before the next book is released.

I rate it 5 STARS and highly recommend it. If you haven't read books #1 through #6, definitely read them first.

Check it out on Goodreads or BUY IT at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.


Have you read it? I'd love to know what you thought about it?

Happy Reading!
Chelly

SWAY by Kat Spears

Sway

by Kat Spears

In Kat Spears’s hilarious and often poignant debut, high school senior Jesse Alderman, or "Sway," as he’s known, could sell hell to a bishop. He also specializes in getting things people want---term papers, a date with the prom queen, fake IDs. He has few close friends and he never EVER lets emotions get in the way. For Jesse, life is simply a series of business transactions.

But when Ken Foster, captain of the football team, leading candidate for homecoming king, and all-around jerk, hires Jesse to help him win the heart of the angelic Bridget Smalley, Jesse finds himself feeling all sorts of things. While following Bridget and learning the intimate details of her life, he falls helplessly in love for the very first time. He also finds himself in an accidental friendship with Bridget’s belligerent and self-pitying younger brother who has cerebral palsy. Suddenly, Jesse is visiting old folks at a nursing home in order to run into Bridget, and offering his time to help the less fortunate, all the while developing a bond with this young man who idolizes him. Could the tin man really have a heart after all?

A Cyrano de Bergerac story with a modern twist, Sway is told from Jesse’s point of view with unapologetic truth and biting humor, his observations about the world around him untempered by empathy or compassion---until Bridget’s presence in his life forces him to confront his quiet devastation over a life-changing event a year earlier and maybe, just maybe, feel something again.

What I thought:

In the spirit of full disclosure, I did not buy this book. A literary agent--the always lovely and extremely funny Ms. Barbara Poelle--did a quick giveaway via twitter and I called dibs. I've been venturing into YA slowly, just dipping my toe in the water so to speak, and I figured what better way to find a great read than to have one hand-picked by someone who reads for a living?

I was not wrong.

The MC is the anti-hero in every sense of the word. Jesse was so unlikeable at the beginning that I fell in love. He is the center of his universe and I was happy to be sucked right into it. I love a bad boy--what girl doesn't--but Jesse isn't your typical womanizing sleaze. Oh no, he's so much worse. I don't want to get too spoiler-y, (is that a word?) so I'll just say that there is a romantic aspect here, and it is marvelous.

The only stumbling block for me, which I think stems from this being a YA read and my brain resting in a very adult place, was there were a couple of places where the telling was a little too telling for me, but, again, that's probably just my hang-up. The ending was...well no spoilers, but I loved it. LOVED IT. This book pushed all my happy buttons and the ending pulled everything together perfectly.

I rate this book 4 1/2 golden, glittering stars, and highly recommend it to YA and adult readers alike.

I love an anti-hero and this book delivers that in spades. The MC was so unlikable at the beginning that I fell in love. The only stumbling block I hit here probably stems from the fact that I am not a big YA reader (though I am trying to remedy that) but I did feel that a few scenes dragged a little toward the middle. Due to this, and my short attention span, it took me a while to get to the end, but I'm so glad I did. I loved the ending. LOVED IT. No spoilers, but I highly recommend this book.

Buy it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble and let me know what you think.

Do you love an anti-hero? Got any amazing reads to recommend? Leave a comment and let me know. If you include your twitter handle, if you have one, I'll be sure to follow you. :)

Have a great weekend and take care,
Chelly

My Review of OPERATION CINDERELLA by Hope Tarr

My Review of OPERATION CINDERELLA by Hope Tarr;

First let me say that I haven't read contemporary romance in ages. Many ages. These days I read mostly speculative fiction, but I'm trying to branch out into other areas to see what's out there. I found OPERATION CINDERELLA as a free read when it popped up in my twitter feed. I am very skeptical of free books, but I read the first pages, was pleasantly surprised, and added it to my bookshelf.

With romance comes third person narrative; I knew what I was getting into. I do prefer first person, so I wasn't too shocked when the story had a little more telling (as opposed to showing) than I like. Since I'm used to the extra close perspective that comes with a first person narrative, obviously I'm biased. 

That aside, I really liked the story here. I found the set- up believable and the characters engaging. The left versus right issue was fun, because, really all couples have some areas where they disagree, so their opposing party lines worked as a good obstacle.

Overall, OPERATION CINDERELLA was a fun, fast read. Macie's underlying relationship issues were handled well and the ending was so very satisfying.

I rate this a solid 4 stars and will definitely pick up the next one.  :)

I'm not sure how long it will be free but you can find it at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Amazon has it as a bundle, which I recommend.

Thanks for reading. Comments are welcome.

Have you read it? Did you love it? Hate it? What is your favorite romance novel? Or any genre, really.

Take care!

THE DEVIL'S INTERN by Donna Hosie

The Devil's Intern (The Devil's #1)

by Donna Hosie 

"How did you die?"

It's the most popular question in Hell, and Mitchell Johnson has been answering it ever since he was hit by a bus at age seventeen and inexplicably ended up in the Underworld. Now Mitchell is The Devil's intern in Hell's accounting office. Lately, he's noticed a disturbing trend: the volume of new arrivals is straining Hell's limited resources. Then Mitchell overhears his boss discussing plans to limit newcomers with a legendary time travel mechanism. With a device like that, Mitchell realizes, he could change history and prevent his own death. 

Mitchell's plot goes awry when his three closest friends—Alfarin, the Viking prince; Elinor, from 17th-century London; and Melissa, from 1960s San Francisco—insert themselves into his plans. It soon becomes clear that the fates of all four are entwined in dangerous and unpredictable ways. With unforgettable characters and a thrilling premise, this original novel is by turns funny, poignant, and thought-provoking.

What I thought:

First let me say that this book wasn't even on my radar until my Twitter feed was peppered with tweets when it was a free book on Amazon. I certainly don't mind getting a free book, but I tend to be hyper critical of them. Call me skeptical, but I always read a few pages before I add a freebie to my library.

Here, I read more than a few pages. A then a few more.

Present tense usually throws me off. After a while, it starts to feel tedious, but the execution here is so well done that I stopped noticing it. Yay. The premise drew me in from the start and the story kept me glued to the page. The characters are fully fleshed and perfectly flawed, so much so that they crawl off the page and remind you to pick up your reader and sprint to the end. I am easily distracted and tend to read multiple books at once, jumping from one to the other when I lose interest. That didn't happen here. I didn't want this book to end, but I loved the ending.

I rate THE DEVIL'S INTERN 5 stars!

I think this book is considered YA, but I don't read a lot of YA and I loved it, so I'd recommend it to lovers of YA and Adult books. Donna Hosier is going on my list of must-read authors.

BUY it at   Amazon  or Barnes & Noble

Or check it out on Goodreads

So what should I read next?