Book Review: 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston
Genre: Young Adult (Contemporary  Romance)
Date Published: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation.

Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents' house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That's when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.

When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she's started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.

This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever... or is it?

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston is a fun and super cute story about Sophie, who’s going through a very recent breakup. There are a bunch of characters in this story, and I couldn’t alway keep then straight, but that’s one of the fun thing about this story... you really don’t have too. I enjoyed Sophie, and I loved how close her family was. These are family goals right here. 

Ashley Elston lives is North Louisiana with her husband and three sons. She worked as a wedding and portrait photographer for ten years until she decided to pursue writing full time. Ashley is also a certified landscape horticulturist and loves digging in the dirt. Her debut novel, THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING was published by Disney Hyperion in 2013 and was a finalist in the Best Young Adult category of the International Thriller Writers Awards.

To learn more about Ashley Elston and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, & Instagram.

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Book Review: Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Wicked (A Wicked Trilogy #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Genre: Adult Fiction (Fantasy Romance)
Date Published: December 8, 2014
Publisher: Self

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul. 

Wicked is the first book in A Wicked Trilogy by Jennifer L. Armentrout. This one grabbed my attention from the get go with action and attitude. Ivy is a fun main character who doesn't always think before she acts... or speaks. But, that's all part of her charm. Then Ren entered the picture and takes things to another level of attitude and snark. I love the bantering! There were some predictable bits, but overall the rest of the story far outweighs that. You get crazy killer fae, steamy romance, snarky bantering, and Tink!! Oh my goodness Tink! You have to meet him. Yes, this one is a keeper.

I lifted my right hand, reaching for my iron stake out of instinct, even though I knew it would do no good against the prince.



“You shouldn’t do that.” His voice was deep with what reminded me of an English accent. “I know you want to, but it would be very, very unwise of you, Ivy.”

My hand twitched.

Creepy Prince smiled slightly. “Your friend has been very helpful.”

That got my hackles up. I slid my sunglasses onto my forehead and forced my tone to stay calm and level. “I’m sure she has. Speaking of Val, happen to know where I can find her?”

His lips curled in a semblance of a smile as he stepped closer. The prince was tall, taller than Ren, who was pushing six foot two. My entire back stiffened as I forced myself to hold my ground, even though every instinct demanded that I run and run super fast, because he had almost killed me once before. Correction. He would have definitely killed me if he hadn’t realized what I was and had, I guessed, healed me.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, instead of answering my question, his pale blue eyes fixed on mine.

My hand curled into a useless fist. “That is extremely creepy to hear.”

That cold smile returned. “Why don’t we talk? There are seats across the way.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”

The slow smile increased but never reached his eyes. “Oh, I know it is.”

Fine hairs rose on my arms.

“What exactly can you do right now?” he said in the same coldly polite voice. “Refuse me?” Creepy Prince laughed, and it wasn’t a bad sound. Again, it was something that was just cold, as if he were mimicking what a human would do. “You can’t.”

“I can.” My palm itched to grab the thorn stake secured under my pant leg, but I held still. I might be reckless, but I wasn’t stupid.

“Really? I will have to beg to differ on that. You see, humans surround us. So many of them, and I have an extraordinary appetite.” His eyes appeared to glimmer as his gaze slithered from the top of my curly head down to my toes. “A rather impressive appetite for many, many things.”

“Okay. First off, ew.” My lip curled. “Secondly, I don’t want to hear about any of your appetites.”

One dark eyebrow rose. “Oh, but you should know that I could kill twenty of these humans in less than five seconds and feed on the rest, leaving them to believe that it was this little red-headed girl who murdered these innocent people.” His voice dropped even lower as he leaned in and icy air brushed my cheek. “You deny me this, those lives will be on your hands, little bird.”

Anger flushed hotly as my eyes met his. There wasn’t a single part of me that doubted anything he said. He had me. God, I hated to admit it, but he had me.

Check out my reviews of other books by this author!

# 1 New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

To learn more about Jennifer L. Armentrout and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also check out her Goodreads page as J. Lynn.

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Book Review: Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

Midnight Sun (The Twilight Saga #5) by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)
Date Published: August 4, 2020
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella's side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward's version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward's eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward's past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

Midnight Sun is the fifth book in the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. This book gives you Twilight through the eyes of Edward. Let me tell you why this has been a much needed thing in my life. First of all, you get everything Edward is thinking. Now knowing his side of things, I completely get why New Moon happened. This guy was a flight risk from day one. In fact, I'm super surprised he didn't take off after the whole Arizona incident. What's better than Edward's thoughts though, are the thoughts of everyone around him. You really get to know them all. What is Mike really thinking behind that smile? Do you really want to know? Which of the Cullen's were okay with Bella's death? Some answers we knew. Some we didn't. But, this gives you full insight to everything. I didn't know I was missing anything before, but I understand the characters so much better now. Midnight Sun is completely necessary for all Twilight Fans.

Check out my reviews of some other books by Stephenie Meyer!

Best known for her Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer’s four-book collection has sold over 100 million copies globally in over 50 countries, with translations in 37 different languages. Meyer was the highest-selling author of 2008 and 2009 in the United States, having sold over 29 million books in 2008, and 26.5 million books in 2009. In 2008, Meyer also released The Host, which debuted at #1 on The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. Additionally, USA Today declared Meyer “Author of the Year,” citing that she had done something that no one else had in the 15 years of the USA Today bestselling book list– she swept the top four slots in 2008. Meyer also accomplished this feat in 2009, when The Twilight Saga once again dominated the top of the bestseller list. All together, her books have spent over 303 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List.

Stephenie Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English Literature. She lives in Arizona with her husband and sons.

To learn more about Stephenie Meyer and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Release Day Review! Up for Seconds by Melissa Chambers

Up for Seconds: A Second Chance Steamy Romance (Destiny Dunes #2) by Melissa Chambers
Genre: Adult Fiction (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: April 27, 2021
Publisher: Perry Evans Press

He won’t get in her head again…

Tori Jacobs has spent the past year moving on from her intense relationship with Jack Massey. His jealousy ruined them. They made no sense, anyway. He’s a stuffy, number-cruncher from a wealthy family, and she’s a hot mess from a place that would make his family clutch their pearls. Tori has worked too hard getting over him to turn back now. She’s thrown herself into her work with the kids at the resort and nurtured friendships with her wonderful co-workers. She even tried another relationship. Though Jack never left her head or her heart.

Jack Massey screwed up, and he’s paid the price. He quit drinking and became obsessed with his job and working out. He’s not so much as looked at another woman. Tori’s all he’s been able to focus on, even after a year. He wants her back, but it’s not going to be easy. They come from different worlds, and she makes sure he knows it at every turn. He’s never failed at anything in his life except for his relationship with her, and he doesn’t intend to lose at that again.

Welcome to Destiny Dunes, where the only thing hotter than the Florida sun is the romance between this resort's employees. Each book in this steamy series focuses on your favorite romance tropes. Once you enter the gates of Destiny Dunes, you'll never want to leave! 

Up for Seconds by Melissa Chambers is the second book in the Destiny Dunes series. I was so excited when I found out this was going to be Tori and Jack's story. We got to meet them in the first book, and the chemistry was already crazy, because you knew they had a history. Now, we find out just what exactly that history is. I love Jack. Sure, he was a goober, hence why they have that said "history", but he's so lovable anyway, and I like his personality. Tori is his opposite, and not only that, but they come from opposite worlds. So, they both have a lot to learn and understand about the other. This was a fun one, guys! It's a perfect beach read! I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a vacation now, and definitely ready for more in this series.

The ARC of Up for Seconds by Melissa Chambers was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

He stands up and holds his hand out to me. “Well, I’m not ready to let this go. Come into the water with me.”
 I wipe the sand off my hands and then take his hand. He pulls me up, and I follow him into the surf.
“Wow, look at that sunset,” he says.
I’m embarrassed that I hadn’t even noticed. I’ve been too caught up in him. “That’s a beautiful one.”
“Do you know what they say about first kisses under a sunset like that?” he asks.
My chest sears with anticipation. “What do they say?”
“That they’re pretty damn amazing.”
I wish I could stop my stupid grin, but there’s no way. “It’s not our first kiss.”
He takes my hand. “It is for this go-around.” “I think we skipped past kisses last weekend.”
“We just did things a little out of order. We still get to have our second first kiss.”
 “Lucky us.” He looks down at my hand and takes it as the water washes over our calves. The longer he hesitates to kiss me, the more buildup rolls through my body like a big rig.
He takes my other hand as well, still not looking into my eyes. I can’t tell if he’s nervous or trying to make me collapse with want.

Have you read the first book in this series?

Check out my reviews of other books by this author!

 

Melissa Chambers writes contemporary novels for young, new, and actual adults. A Nashville native, she spends her days working in the music industry and her nights tapping away at her keyboard. While she’s slightly obsessed with alt rock, she leaves the guitar playing to her husband and kid. She never misses a chance to play a tennis match, listen to an audiobook, or eat a bowl of ice cream. (Rocky road, please!) She has served as president for the Music City Romance Writers and is the author of The Summer Before Forever, Falling for Forever, and Courting Carlyn (Entangled Teen).

To learn more about Melissa Chambers and her books, visit her website. You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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