Read. Sleep. Repeat.

Review to come.

So more reviews of mine on my awesome little slice of the internet!I know for a fact that most people who read this story will walk away with tears in their eyes and hope in their hearts. Sadly I'm not one of them. Domestic abuse, drug abuse, poverty, co-dependency and abandonment are just a few of the very real and heavy topics contained within White Trash Beautiful. A book filled with so much angst and wrong should have been an easy tear-jerker and should have had me screaming at the topic of my lungs for that happy ending the underdog deserves. White Trash Beautiful had the potential to be the kind of book that steps completely away from the crowd and opens the eyes of readers everywhere, it had the potential to put me in the fetal position while I silently endured a book hangover.  But it didn't. And no matter how hard I wanted to love this book, cry for this book, shout at every injustice. I just couldn't.Let me be upfront with you. I am completely and irrevocably desensitized. Violence (excluding anything to do with kids), drugs, prostitution, guns, random acts of evil, none of it bothers me in the way a normal human-being should be bothered by it, and for that reason alone, I'm going to say something I've never said about a book that I've rated poorly.I STILL RECOMMEND THIS BOOKBefore you break out the "what the hell?" let me explain.The main focus of White Trash Beautiful is the horrible domestic abuse Cass is subjected to from her heroine addicted boyfriend (Jax), and the responsibility of taking care of her mother. Who is also a heroine addict, thanks to prince flipping charming. This is the kind of topic that will make many of you reach for the Puff's and ice cream. It'll break many of your hearts, and it'll spark sympathy in every single one of you. But I've seen this story. I've stepped over the needles on my way to school. I've watched kids run down the street in a blizzard in search of a phone, because "he hit mommy again". I've witnessed the power company come out and shut electricity off to a house that's occupied with small children. So these aspects, these trials and tribulations just didn't rub me raw. They didn't show me something new. And they didn't spark that sympathy that Cass didn't need but definitely deserved."So why did you request it you heartless bitch?"I requested it because I had hope that a different light would be shined on a story I've seen. I thought that maybe, an author would be able to capture the true angst involved with living under those circumstances and strip me bare with its intensity. I guess, on some very fucked up level, I wanted to see if anyone else got it. And White Trash Beautiful had the right elements. It had the good writing. It even had decent characters. But the overall delivery was just a bit too hollow for me. I never really felt the desperation that Cass felt in her situation. I never felt her helplessness when it came to getting Jax to change his ways, or determination to just leave it all behind. And when Mummert threw in Tucker as Cass's knight in shining armor I knew right then this wouldn't be the story I was hoping for. I know it's teaching a sense of hope, and I'm so happy that Cass was able to experience that hope, but it just didn't fit to me. Hope should have come in the money she saved up to leave that hell hole. Hope should have come in her mom attempting to get clean. But instead hope came from a budding rock star that loved her at first sight? I know I'm being selfish here. I do! But let's be honest! It doesn't fit! We went from a plausible storyline with real issues to your run of the mill, novel. And that broke my heart.I do my best not to leak spoilers, and this review is no different. But please understand that there was so much potential for this to be a true "realistic fiction" novel. It was so close! I loved Tucker, I really did. But what I was yearning for and what I got were polar opposites, and that's the only reason I've rated it 1.5 stars. Like I said above, I STILL RECOMMEND IT. You will probably enjoy this book. You will cry. You will mourn. You will get frustrated, and then you will remind yourself that Cass is as much of an addict as Jax and her mom. Then you will see that hope, and your mood will start to lift. You'll start the happy what if scenarios. You may even squeeze in a aww or two.And why wouldn't you?! The characters are strong and realistic (to a point). The plot is original (at least for the 1st half). The writing is great. The pace is perfect. You may very well like it. And I'm utterly jealous of you because of that.

Oh sweet baby goodness gracious! It was six levels above phenomenal! Full review to come closer to release, but you should pre-order it....like now!

I gave it one star. What more do you want from me??

Well....that was disappointing. Full review to come but let me just say:

 

 

 

UPDATE

I had such hope for Born of Illusion! With its interesting and unique premise and it's drool worthy cover! Add in the fact that this book is set in the roaring 20's and it should have been an easily enjoyable read. But it wasn't. And I'm so lost on how a story with so much potential, good writing and ok characters, went so astray for me. I'm not saying the book didn't have its high points, I loved a few aspects of it, but I felt that the pace was too slow, and the "mystery" was nothing I didn't figure out at the 160 page mark.Anna, our MC and the alleged bastard child of Harry Houdini himself, and her mother have finally started to settle down. They have a successful show going and things are just starting to look up, in Anna's mind. Show? Oh, Anna's mom is a "medium" and Anna is a magician. See that right there should have solidified the fact that this book would be awesome! Who cares if Anna's mom is a fraud, and a swindler! That should have just added to the greatness! But even these cool and unique character traits weren't enough to excite me. Then Brown through in an awkward, there but not really there love triangle and I about gave up. How is it even possible to have a love triangle when there are barely any romantic feelings for one of the people involved in said triangle? I get being young and wanting to have a little fun, but there is a difference between getting your feet wet and KNOWING that there are no romantic feelings for the person you're hanging out with.And something else that left me utterly disappointed was the Harry Houdini aspect. I'm not a huge magician fan but every living person knows who Harry Houdini is. I didn't expect him to have a huge presence in the book, but the two times we did see him, it only brought up more questions and no answers? And yeah I know this is the first book in the series, and I understand that there is some build up involved but COME ON! What was the point of even giving him the occasional voice if we never really knew who he was?But that's ok, fine whatever I'll live. What really landed the final "I'm so disappointed" blow was the mystery. I'm not much of a mystery reader because I always figure it out ages before the characters do. But I had hope that Anna, would not be so dense. She swindles people for a living! How could she not see the obvious signs of someone who was trying to swindle her? This was what finally did it for me. Not the sub par romance, or the mediocre build up (only to be let down), or even the flat characters. It was the fact that a person who lies and cheats and steals for a living couldn't tell when those fates were knocking on her door. 

Original review, and other can be found on my little slice of the internet! Love hate relationship. It's something we hear about all the time when it comes to our fave movies, tv show's and books of course. But I truly had that kind of a relationship with Rule. On the one hand I loved all the raw lust and feelings in general. On the other hand I hated how those intense feeling could occasionally overshadow the bigger picture. So why did I give it four stars? What a wonderful question!Rule is the story we've all read in the NA genre. Girl loves boy for forever but won't tell him because of REASONS, but it turns out boy has some hidden feelings for girl so it's alright. But Rule some how made it seem like more. There were actual moments of communication and realism that made me gasp and swoon all at once. I loved that Shaw (or leading lady) grew as the story progressed. I loved how she came into her own skin and started to live her own life regardless of what people thought or felt. I loved that giant set of lady balls she grew eventually, and I loved how she was a fighter, even though she grew up privileged.Rule (or male MC) was exactly what I've come across within NA but, with a hint of something more. He was tattooed and pierced in places the sun dear not shine, and he had this air of "I truly don't give a shit" but he was also loyal and caring and knew that other's opinions about him truly did not make nor break him. And when he fucked up he owned up to it, and didn't run with his tail between his legs! He knew and accepted that he had to work hard at something that was new to him and I appreciate a man who can look his mistakes and hardships in the face.The plot was cool, although not exactly surprising or original. And the supporting characters all had their own traits and trials to work through and I'm excited to see how they develop within the series.

Is it possible to give a negative star rating? Nothing ridiculous, just like...-2?? Yes? Ok get on that while I write up a review.*UPDATE*Hmm I see goodreads didn't add my "negative" review idea. Sigh...one star it is! (Although it seriously was -2!)Ah where does one start when it comes to reviewing a book that literally made me want to burn things?Torn was a story that I had high hopes for because a good friend of mine recommended it. And at first I actually really dug it. Even though the characters had the staple "hard upbringing" back stories, and the typical "bad boy" character, and of course the "I didn't know you loved me" plot line. I still sort of dug the story and even when things started turning for the worse I still stayed optimistic! I thought "yeah it's typical NA drama but, they could turn it around! Things could go a different way soon!" So I plowed on, with those thoughts in the back of my mind.Then the cliché's started, and the best friend became my #1 enemy, and my optimism dropped a notch. Next came the secrets glances, the hidden thoughts, the burying of emotions and my optimism took another blow. But it wasn't until I hit the 62% mark that my optimism climbed out the window, hijacked a car and drove off a cliff.I was going to DNF it right there. I didn't care that I had made it so far, I didn't care about the fact that I had basically begged for a review copy of Torn, all I could see was the biggest fuck up in the history of fuck ups and I wanted out. I've never felt such disdain for a set of characters and I cross my fingers that I never will again. But it wasn't just the ginormous fuck up, that did it for me. Oh no. My hate had been brewing underneath my optimism since chapter 3. I just didn't realize until that very moment how hot that hate had become.I felt hate for Logan, Chloe's best friend, and the worlds biggest douche bag. He was probably the #2 reason why I felt the need to set fire to many things. I think what pissed me off the most about Logan was his "undying love" for Chloe (that she was oblivious to of course!)and how it was supposed to be this big secret but it was obvious to the readers from day one! I mean if your going to have a "secret crush" somewhere in the book make us work for it! Keep us guessing! It was like Robinson took a blanket threw it over an elephant and said "somewhere in this room there is a large animal".Next I felt hate for Chloe, because she was a spineless little shit who couldn't make up her mind about something that really was pretty simple to figure out.Finally I felt hate for the "plot". I didn't expect it to be this big earth shattering, mind-blowing, life altering story but there was seriously little to no plot! It was more like a day time soap opera where all the characters have "secrets" and look at each with smiles and love but as soon as they turn their back, IN sinks the knife! And just to show you what I mean, here's a little taste! "If you want me, take me. If this is what it takes for us to get each other out of our systems, then we'll do it and move on."She says that, even though she HAS  a boyfriend. But of course that doesn't matter! Obviously sex will solve all the worlds problems, and make it totally ok to cheat on someone. That's not shallow or selfish! Oh no! Not at all selfish! I mean you're just screwing both of these men who are crazy about you because you don't want to take a second and work out your feelings. That's not selfish or shallow or twisted or wrong! But why don't I let you continue to justify your actions!He hesitated. "What about Logan?"I closed my eyes as guilt took over. "I can't move on with him until I can stop thinking about you. Please Drake. I need this, give it to me." My lips went to his and I kissed him hungrily. Ummm, so your telling me that the way to get over your feelings for one guy so you can move on to a guy you truly don't have romantic feelings for, you must have sex with him while you're technically with the other? Writing that gave me a headache and reading it again gave me a migraine.  I've never rated a book zero stars before, and while I'm sad it ended like that I honestly can not find one redeeming quality within this book. The characters irked me, the "plot" didn't exist, the writing was ok at best and the complete lack of depth just topped the "I hate you with the red-hot intensity of a thousand suns" pie.

Ummm, review to come! After I figure out what my emotions are!UPDATEOriginal review, and other can be found on my little slice of the internet! So you know how I've been ranting on twitter about the complete lack of originality in today's fiction? What do you mean you don't follow me on twitter?! Of course you do! I mean, why wouldn't you like to get constant awesome 140 charter length treats from me throughout the day? Anywho, I was ranting last week about how lately everything I read is so cookie cutter. And I was all but begging the book writing God's to send me something that would be completely different from anything else I've read. The Sweetest Dark was their answer.You see The Sweetest Dark is this dark yet fairytale-ish/romancey/historical fiction book. And yes, I know that's a lot of stuff for one book to have going on but in all honestly it not only worked but somehow it became this unique thing that I'm proud to say I've never experienced before. There was action, and adventure! Secrets and romance! Lord's, Ladies, peasants and a abundance of British accents! And even though I do not like historical fiction the entire setting, era, and atmosphere just drew me in! I wanted to be in this giant castle with those other twit girls who thought the only point of life was marrying into money. I wanted to see the stars that sang to Lora. But I'm jumping ahead!The Sweetest Dark has a very misleading blurb in many aspects. For one, if I would have known it was "historical fiction" there is no way I would have requested it (even though I'm happy I did!). Another thing that irked me about the blurb was how it didn't really embody the true magic and wonder that was inside this book! I mean obviously it was mysterious enough for me to request it, but I just feel that with all the wonder going on in this book it could have been showcased just a little in the blurb. Besides that minor speed bump I really enjoyed The Sweetest Dark.Our main characters, Lora, Jesse, and Armand, were a dynamic fit for an adult sized emotional seesaw! And I loved them so much for having all those dynamics but somehow still balancing out in the end! Lora has had a life so rough that I personally want to go and kick every adult who has ever wronged her ass! But she's also smart, and so level headed that I actually sighed when she acted in a rational manner! Whether it was rationally fainting or rationally leaping out of windows, she always acted in a way that made me want to constantly stand up and applaud. Jesse was the "rock" of our trio. He always knew exactly what to say it and how to say it, but he was also so magnificent (his "gift" is ridonkulous!) that I knew that if and when the time came he would probably be the most bad ass of the three. Armand was our wild card and polar opposite. While Jesse and Lora had worked for their meals Mandy (yeah I don't like it either) was born the son of a Duke! A honest to God (messed up in the head) DUKE! And yes I know Duke's were common in the era but, COME ON! I basically just met a Duke! Any way, Mandy had this whole "I'm raised as a gentleman, but I bribe servants, drive fast and do what I want" attitude and while he was never arrogant I actually really liked that about him.I loved watching them interact as everything unfolded but, the cherry on the "this book was really good" cake was the writing. Abe has a unbelievable way with words that made this story so gripping and amazing that it took me DAYS  to write this review. I was so shocked to have something new and unique in my lap, that I seriously finished and couldn't make heads or tails of my feelings. I'm excited to start the sequel and experiencing more of Abe's talent.

Let the sighs begin!So let me be honest here. I read the blurb for The Marriage Merger on NetGalley and hit request. No second guessing. No Goodreads research. No rushing to see if my friends had read it. I read the blurb hit submit and walked away. Then I was approved, saw that this was book FOUR in a series and pretty much shit my pants. Luckily I learned that it wasn't a total necessity to read the books in order since each one focused on a different sister. Insert sigh of relief here. You see that sigh of relief? Yeah, that sigh was the first of many. Too bad the others were from frustration instead of relief.The Marriage Merger started off the way I expected it to. We have Julietta, who is strong, independent and too stubborn to see that having a man doesn't mean he is her sole purpose for living but maybe someone to share her success and frustrations with. This is probably the second most frustrating trait I see among Contemporary, Adult and New Adult reads. Yes I know it's meant to add character but what type of idiot really runs around thinking that having a husband/wife/partner in general means they can't have a successful career too?! And please don't try and feed me that "woman scorned" crap! It's one thing to put up a wall out of fear of falling, but it is a totally different thing to swear off having a partner in life because "you'd rather have a career". Like it's a "one or the other" decision!This was my first, of many, problems with this book. Then you have her "I'm a broken woman" disorder and I was ready to strangle her! I know that I'm not an expert within this field, but even I know that if you're not have ANY orgasms it's not YOU it's the jerk face you're with that's the problem. I think it bothered me even more that she just gave up on sex in general. Here we have a very strong and business focused woman who dominates and doesn't give up in her business, but when it comes to something as instinctual as enjoying sex, she just gives up! Strike two The Marriage Merger, strike two.Then you have the icing on the "all these characters bug me" cake. Sawyer.I truly hate to say it, but, he was your exact cookie cutter love interest that you see in most romance/adult/contemporary/new adult reads. Filthy rich? Check. No family? Check. A face sculpted by angels? Yep. A brutal past that wouldn't be revealed until the very end for dramatic effect? Um huh. The answer to all the worlds problems right between his legs? How did you know!?!However it wasn't just Sawyer that was cookie cutter! The story itself just wreaked of books I've read before, and that's probably the most disappointing thing for a reader. I'm just sick and tired of reading about billionaires finding each other but being too prideful to admit their feelings. I'm bored by all the inner monologuing and demon battling. I tire of the running from the obvious only to be brought together at the very end like some really cheesy teen movie! When will I see some originality? Some REAL adult interactions? At what point in time will authors realize that sometimes, it's sexier to see a man and a woman sit down and iron out all the awkward "what now's"? How long will it be until we see two adults grow! I want them to meet, talk, become friends then lovers, then they become a unit?!I wanted The Marriage Merger to be the first book I read for ARC August. Something that was steamy but also light, that would put me in the reading mode and keep me there. But all it did was make me roll my eyes and pray that I would be put out of my misery soon. It probably wouldn't have rubbed me in such a way if there was ONE character that I had a connection with but of course that was another request of mine that was ignored.See more of my awesomeness over at:

AGHRJHILJHBL!Review to come!

It was an ok read but I won't be picking up the sequels and no there will not be a review. :) Yay to no pressure reads!!!!

Review to Come*but just so you know....I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK!**UPDATE*3:28am. That's what time I finished Beautiful Stranger.4:02am. That's when I finally stopped giggling and re-reading the last chapter to go to sleep.Yes I know; I have major issues. But Beautiful Stranger was more than worth the exhaustion I felt the next day, and the embarrassment of admitting that yes, I stroked the cover to this fan-freaking-tastic book as I fell asleep!Beautiful Stranger is the story of Chole's best friend Sara and her trial, tribulations, and triumphs with catching a cheating fianceè, dropping her old life, moving to a new state and the 6 foot 5 inches of Max. Our Beautiful Stranger. Our British accent having, sex God on a stick, gosh my body is ready! Beautiful Stranger. Whom, in case you didn't notice, I was totally and completely in love with from the start. See I respect a man that knows what he wants and doesn't hide behind his title or reputation. Even when he was faced with an unfamiliar and unsettling experience, he was always willing and able to face it head on. And that only added to how badly I wished I could pull a Blues Clues and jump in that book! But it wasn't just the fact that this man oozed sex, even though that had me, it was his ability to sit down and have a civilized conversation with Sara. They actually TALKED like two adults! And for once we see a partnership!! Not just some dick-head making a tough relationship decision "for him/her's safety/benefit"! I can't have asked for a better male specimen to share my bed with....figuratively of course!Then you have Sara. Ahhh Sara with your frustrating ways and somewhat predictable thought process. See, Sara just recently realized that the man she was engaged to and involved with for 6 freaking years was cheating on her. And she did what a lot of people would of. She dropped his ass, packed up and changed her scenery, permanently. So obviously when faced with a new city, a new job, and a new circle of friends she'd built a few walls up. That is totally acceptable. But in addition to those walls she developed a quirk that even I would blush at...if I was all girly...and not this fantastic caramel complexion. ;) Our dear sweet Sarah is a exhibitionist. As in, she craves sex in public places. Now initially I read this and was a bit at odds with myself. How could this sweet, smart and scorned woman be so darn kinky?! Don't get me wrong, I'm not against kinks or adventurous sex, but when you paired this desire to have sex in plain sight with the somewhat shy tendencies of Sara, it didn't add up. But as the book progressed and more of her background and personality seeped out it truly did make perfect sense.But it wasn't all sex and rainbows. There were times that legitimately aggravated me (he cheated on you for 6 YEARS and you "didn't know"?!?!!) and some that downright pissed me off. However those moments where so few and far between, and so minuscule in comparison to how much I truly loved the characters, the plot, the growth and the sex (of course!) that I can't help but give Beautiful Stranger 5 glowing stars.

Ummmm....what did I just read?I'm split between feeling a bit nauseous, a bit pissed off, and a bit like giggling. I mean really?! Really?!!

Review to come soon!

One of the things I'm most grateful for as a book blogger is noticing my growth as a reader. Yes I know that your taste are meant to change and shift, but I truly didn't notice how much my taste, likes, dislikes, pet peeves, and thoughts have changed over the past year or so since I've discovered Goodreads. Case in point. I read Beautiful Disaster in December of 2011, and I LOVED IT! I didn't think it was a "good" read, I didn't think the characters were "great", I didn't think the writing was "nice", I thought it was all fan-flipping-tastic! I loved the story, the angst, the intensity of it all! And while Walking Disaster had those same elements to the same degree, I found myself not being totally head over heels in love. In fact, my emotions were so varying during this read that it took me a while just to properly put a star rating to it.I started off the way I expected to, which was to gush and get all gooey eyed over Travis. I seriously was all I mean, come on! Walking Disaster is the same fantastic story of Beautiful Disaster only told from Mr. Sexy Travis's point of view. When I originally heard that this was truly happening and wasn't just some outlandish rumor I admit that I was skeptical. I loved Beautiful Disaster and while I love Travis too I was afraid of the possibility that maybe his point of view wouldn't hold up to my expectations, of course that was the wrong thing for me to worry about.Something that I think is really important to point out is that while Walking Disaster is indeed the same story as Beautiful Disaster it actually felt like a different story at points. Yes, I laughed, I fumed, I even grunted a few times just like with BD, but that passion and love I felt for BD just wasn't there with WD. And it's not that the story was lacking or totally different it's just that, as a reader my taste have changed. I no longer view Travis's begging and temper issues as a appealing trait and Abby's tendency to run at the first sign of trouble is no longer something I can get over. I wanted to love this story as much as I loved BD, and I'm sure that Octavia of 2011 would have, but the person that I am today just wouldn't allow it.Walking Disaster is the whirlwind story of Travis falling in love with Abby. A story filled with angst, and love, and hate, and bickering, and so many other high emotions!  But it's also a story of how two people with complicated past and powerful personalities can come together to make something both beautiful and utterly devastating. I loved how well we could see the emotions that ran through these two but I wasn't a fan of how those emotions were handled and often portrayed. I felt that the codependency that was showcased often overshadowed the honest to God love that was beneath all that mess. And the various burst of rage from BOTH sides just didn't jibe with me either. So often we look at men with mock outrage over their temper issues but how often do we genuinely look at a woman in the same light? Abby was just as co-dependant as Travis with her own set of anger issues and a total inability to face her problems head on.I did genuinely enjoy the story and I loved that I was able to peak inside Travis's head but I just can't give this book 5 stars. I appreciate the change in storyline, thanks to Travis's POV and I'm happy that we all go this chance to hear both sides but I do believe my days of swooning over Travis are over.

Plus One was a very cute, albeit short, read. It had the elements I've come accustomed to seeing within the contemporary genre but it also had a better pace story line with characters I genuinely loved! I'm usually not into contemporary reads because they draw out all the drama and angst and unnecessary back and forth mess. Plus One didn't have any of that and I'm sure thats why I loved it so much!*I received a copy of this book via the publisher in return for a honest review.*