Five Golden stars
Showing posts with label Five Golden stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Five Golden stars. Show all posts

Let me tell you...

All the things I love about my girl Lea here and of Make It Right.

Now... where to start *shifty eyes* Umm... Honestly,  I don't know where to start, mainly because I loved everything, every chapter, every paragraph, every WORD that came off these pages. While I was reading Make It Right, I saw a Broadway play (in case you didn't know, I see plays instead of movies when I read a really good book) and I was immersed into this story from the very first word (which was MAX by the way. I love me some Max.)

I had an idea of how this story was going to end, I mean it's obvious when it comes to stand alone-ish romance novels, so that was a given, but I wasn't expecting the journey that Megan put these lovely characters and me through (Megan is the author if you didn't know). And that's probably what I love most about this story, Megan caught me off guard with my expectations and gave me an idea of  what I want in a relationship.

The supporting characters were just as amazing as they were in Make It Count (<-- which I highly suggest you read because it's also lovely). Even though Make It Right isn't about them, you still are given this inkling of what's going on in their own lives; it's not just the "Lea and Max" show. And because we're given these small bits of their supporting characters lives, we're left wanting MOAR (I at least was). It's evident that Lea and Max are caring for their friends and family, or it would've solely been about them. And I can say with full confidence that not every reader loves to stay focused on the main couple through out the entire novel.

There are countless moments between Lea and Max that are filled with the fluffiest fluff ever. And I lived for those moments. They brought a huge grin to my face (the hugest of huge grins). Here's proof of how much I loved it via text I sent to one of my best book friends, "It was just GAH so much fluff. IDK but I was expecting more hot and heavy [scenes] BUT I LOVED IT SO MUCH MORE THIS WAY... I couldn't have asked for more!" 
Now hear me out, there are some sex scenes, but when I read those scenes, it wasn't just sex that was being expressed between Lea and Max. So I was fine, absolutely fine with their relationship because it WASN'T FILLED WITH LUST. I mean it was but out of 100%, lust took about 10% of their motivation.

Max. Oh lord. I loved him since finishing Make It Count, but my love for him increased a million times reading his words and seeing his actions. I mean COME ON. BON JOVI. COOKIES. CATS. CREATIVITY. VULNERABLILITY. BEAUTIFUL FACE. (I can go on and on). How can you not love him!?!? Okay. Okay. If you read Make It Count then there's a good chance that you think I'm crazy for loving him so much, because, well, he's a jackass. But if you think about it, everyone has a little donkey in them, it's just more prominent in people who have problems they can't seem to handle. It's a defense mechanism and a good one at that, because no one wants to associate with a donkey. So only the people who are willing to try can break that barrier, and for Max that was Lea. 

And now this is where I profess my love about Lea. I connected to this book in all ways possible for a person to connect to a book and that had a lot to do with how Megan developed Lea. I can say with full honesty that she is the character that I have connected to the most. Ever. It's hard to believe, given all the books I've read, but it's true. Lea is your everyday person. She struggled and struggles with trust, self image, self security,  and being vulnerable and strong. But besides all that, she's freaking badass. She's more than the perfect match for Max; she's a very independent woman, she could do without a guy and be absolutely fine, which leads me to believe that HE (Max) is the perfect match for Lea rather than the other way around. This is her story as well as it is Max's. She's everything I am and want to be, and she's a fictional character. I want to kidnap her from Max and take her to Vegas to marry her. (If Max wants to come along I'd marry him too).

Make It Right is fresh. It got out of a shower, put on coconut oil as lotion and walked out that door naked so everyone could see it and admire. It shows another side of life and I have to admit that it's probably my favorite read of the year so far. If every NA novel where like this, fun, adventurous, insightful, deep, they would be something to fear and praise.
Make It Right went above and beyond my expectations. And I couldn't have asked for anything better for Lea and Max.

If you couldn't tell, this was a FIVE GOLDEN STARS read and the author is Megan Erickson (she pretty darn awesome)
-Vangie 
1 Corinthians 1:4-5

P.S. Mix Lea and her dad together, and you have me. I swear, they are my spirit characters. I love them with all my heart.
And I'm pretty sure Megan stalked me. She had to have; there were to many similarities between this book and I. Also my love for this book had nothing to do with a bacon reference, but I will say it did increase my love for it. Bacon is heavenly and so is this book which is why I HIGHLY encourage you to read it.

 P.P.S. There's a giveaway for Make It Count on another post! Click HERE to go to it.
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Finding Dandelion by Lex Martin


Title: Finding Dandelion

Author: Lex Martin

Publish Date: July 11th 2014

Rating: FIVE GOLDEN STARS

Synopsis: When soccer all-star Jax Avery collides with Dani Hart on his twenty-first birthday, their connection is instantaneous and explosive. For the first time in years, Jax isn’t interested in his usual hit-it and quit-it approach.

But Dani knows better. Allowing herself a night to be carefree and feel the intensity of their attraction won’t change anything when it comes to dealing with a player. So when Jax doesn’t recognize Dani the next time he sees her, it shouldn’t be a total shock. The fact that he’s her new roommate's brother? That’s a shock.

Dani doesn’t regret that night with Jax, just the need to lie about it. Since her roommate has made it clear what she thinks about her brother’s “type” of girl, the last thing Dani wants is to admit what happened.

Jax knows he’s walking a fine line on the soccer team. One more misstep and he’s off the roster, his plans to go pro be damned. Except he can’t seem to care. About anything… except for the one girl who keeps invading his dreams.

Despite Jax’s fuzzy memory of his hot hookup with his sister’s friend, he can’t stay away from her, even if it means breaking his own rules. But there are bigger forces at work–realities that can end Dani’s college career and lies that can tear them apart.

Jax realizes what he’s losing if Dani walks away, but will he sacrifice his future to be with her? And will she let him if he does?

Review: 
I was blown away by this book. Completely blown away. I had an idea of what I was going to get into BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHAT I WAS GOING TO GET INTO. Because holy shucks. I don't know what to say other than that I was amazed by this beauty.

To the people who have read Dearest Clementine: prepare your feels because Finding Dandelion is a whole other atmosphere. To the people who haven't read Dearest: be ready to enjoy this book like no other.

Yes this can be read as a stand alone, though I do suggest that you read Dearest Clementine first. The main reason being that you're introduced to these characters and kind of have an inkling of who they are, especially Jax. With Dani, in Dearest, you fall in love with her for her geekyness and funny one liners, but there's more to her.

Jax. The bad/good guy that everyone wants (especially me). Dang is he a pill, and a very big one at that (take that however way you want). His character motives are vague, but eventually become clear, and finally the missing piece turns up. You understand where he's coming from and you feel for him. Boy, do you feel for him. His problems are not rich boy problem, well they are, but you have to read his side. The main concept is that the problem has one foundation, and that's betrayal. And I know everyone has gone through that one way or another. That is what makes Jax 3D rather than 2D, what makes him relatable and a considered human rather than just a character in a book that's hot. 

Now Dani. I loved her from the very beginning. Her personality and character development was amazing. Now, the development wasn't subtle, it sort of whacks you in the face. But the thing is, in normal circumstances that would usually be considered as poor writing, but in this case, that doesn't apply here because the reason is very valid. But you're going to have to find that reason out for yourself. 

Holy shucks. Put these two in a room alone and be ready to be put into one of the nine pits of hell, because they are scorching hot with a little bit of cool every once in a while. The best thing about their relationship is probably the innocence and the hesitation, that probably doesn't make sense to some of you and if it doesn't you'll just have to read and see (I think that's like my third time doing that, sorry). 

I honestly can't stop raving over this book. I've told all my friends, some family members, I even recommended it to a person I met at the library. I can't spread the word fast enough. Trust me when I say, you don't want to miss out on this journey.

Impatiently waiting for Daren's book
-Vangie
Matthew 11:28

P.S. Only one problem in this book..... Where was Harper?
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Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg


"Blimey if I'd know what to do with out you."
Title: Better Off Friends

Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Published Date: February 25th 2014

Rating: FIVE GOLDEN STARS

Synopsis:
For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can't be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan's friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they're best friends -- which wouldn't be so bad if they didn't keep getting in each other's way. Guys won't ask Macallan out because they think she's with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can't help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

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Review:
"I'd rather be cautious than assume that everything will just work out."
Holy mother of pearl was this book brilliant. It reminded me a lot of how me and my friend actually became best friends (given, she's a girl). From the very very beginning, I was scared. And from the beginning, I mean as I was reading the title.
"If I had one goal in life, it would be to make her laugh loudly every day."
"Better Off Friends" I mean come on, doesn't it sound a little doomsday? Well, it did to me and it scared me. You know how a photo is a 1k words, well that title was that for me. Questions kept going through my head, situations swimming menacingly like sharks. And I got that JUST FROM THE TITLE.
"It. Was. Brilliant."
You don't want to know how I felt actually reading the book. But know that it was 100x those thoughts and feelings. GAH THE FEELS. Every chapter was a volcano of feels. And because I am a masochist, I turned every page until I finished this book in one sitting. Do you know how long it's been since I've finished a book in ONE SITTING.....? MONTHS MONTHS I TELL YOU. And it was this painful, but not painful book that did it for me. I can't thank the "kick ass, beautiful, intelligent, and probably the next Natasha Romanoff", friend, Marifer from Maf's Crazy Book Life, who recommended me this book enough . I don't know where I'd be without her. Well I do... in a book slump cave.
"When you're comfortable with someone, you don't need to always fill the void with noise."
Levi and Macallan jumped out of the pages and it felt as if I was watching a play. (I see plays rather than movies in my head, mainly because I love theatre.) And when I see a play of a book in my head, I see a Broadway one. And boy was it the best one yet. Better Off Friends has everything one needs: friendship, comedy, cute boys, cute girls, relationships, real life situations, pain, joy, tears. Literally this book has everything, and it taste like one of Chick-fil-a's milkshakes, brilliant.
"All it really takes to fluster a guy is a simple kiss."
Levi. Levi. Levi. I will not lie. You had your moments where I wanted to kill you. You and Macallan had your moments but that's only because I cared about y'all. BUT GAH FRUSTRATION DOES NOT SUIT ME WELL. Everything would be all find and dandy and then OI! One of y'all would become insecure and chicken out and I understand why, but COME ON everyone sees it and y'all even see it! Just GAH dang it man. Blimey if I don't know. 
"It was time I stopped messing up and stepped up."
Macallan. Macallan. I know where you're coming from. And I only wished that I could  hug you and hold you tight because I knew exactly how you felt. Just know I loved you and your courage, though there were moments I wish there was more courage from you.
"You have to admit life is more interesting with a little drama."
You know you have a good book in your hands when it has you thinking about your life. And I couldn't help but remember what brought my best friend and me together: one particular book and Superwholock ( Supernatural, Doctor Who, Sherlock). And I can honestly say that Levi and Macallan's relationship was real because me and my friend do exactly what they do all the time.
"Why did I fight something I wanted no, something I needed so badly."
If you're looking for realness, and something adorable grab this and hold on, it's a rocky ride. 

"But in truth home isn't necessarily where you sleep at night. It's where you feel like yourself. Where you don't have to pretend, where you can be just you."
With more painful books to read
-Vangie
Romans 5:8
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Upside Down by Lia Riley

Title: Upside Down

Author: Lia Riley

Publish Date: August 5th 2014

Rating: FIVE GOLDEN STARS

Synopsis: Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying good-bye to the past-and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she'll act like a carefree exchange student, not a girl sinking under the weight of painful memories. Everything is going according to plan until she meets a brooding surfer with hypnotic green eyes and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he moved back home to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He's never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . or if they were meant to live a world apart.
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Review:
*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review*
 
I went into this book ready for some fluffy times. I left this book broken. The kind of broken that somehow stays intact with a million cracks, but if a butterfly were to land on me I'd break and there'd be no way to put me back together. This book was that powerful.

Now don't get me wrong. Upside Down doesn't just have pain, there are literally LOL moments that I lived for, but within those moment there's deep emotion that surrounds them. Neither of these characters are perfect, they're imperfectly perfect and they don't understand that; well they do but to a certain extent. But then again, no one ever understands that they are imperfect and that that's all they need to be in this world. It's hard to get that through our head and just because Bran and Talia are characters in a book, it doesn't mean they're invincible to this concept.

Now Bran. Know that when I first heard about Upside Down, I thought it'd be only a one sided story, and it was for the most part. However, there are these little jewels in this book where we step inside Bran's thoughts, and boy is it a trip. Because here's the thing, Bran is romantic, like SWOON romantic. But a fudging DUDE. And when we get in his head, it's all dudeness, If that makes any sense. It's real (or so it seems from my standing point). He seems like he's written like a dude by a dude instead of being written as some fake cheesy romance guy to make the readers swoon. It's real... He's real. There is some swooning action but don't be prepared only for that, Bran has his own problems too.

Talia. My love for Talia is this big *opens arms out wide.* Her paranoia reminded me do much of my grandmother I was laughing hysterically, and I just LOVED her (her being Talia, of course). And her witty thoughts are freaking treasures. I felt for Talia so much. With the writing, I was transported from my mind to Talia's and her environment. I felt every emotion coursing though her and it was pretty, and pretty ugly. Now this is solely her story. We are dominated by her thoughts and her feelings, but unlike other books, we get a glimpse of what the male counterpart is thinking, note that I said glimpse. And that is what I absolutely love about this book. This is Talia's story, but we get both sides without getting a play by play of both sides. 

The imagery in this book is amazing, as well as the writing. It grips you. Pretty much with every situation that went on you're given this analogy that is so perfect you don't know how Lia thought of it. The writing. Oh god, the writing. I don't know how but Lia transported me to Australia. And it's was the most frustrating fun I had. I can't wait to go back. This is how an NA should be written; it was a life journey for the characters, as well as for the readers. And I have no doubt the next books will be just as amazing.

Waiting (im)patiently for the other two books
-Vangie
1 John 4:18

P.S. I got really excited about this book and I had to post it as soon as I wrote the review. But this is not it. I am doing a collaboration with one of my best friends on twitter who has an awesome blog (Maf from Maf's Crazy Book Life) with this book. Hopefully it'll go up this week on either my blog or hers. So stay tuned!
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Pieces of Olivia by Melissa West


Title: Pieces of Olivia

Author: Melissa West 

Publish Date: July 15th 2014

Rating: FIVE GOLDEN STARS

Synopsis: Hiding the scars of her past up her sleeves, Olivia transfers her enrollment from Columbia University to The College of Charleston, determined to pursue her own dreams for the first time in her life.

She intends to allow herself a bit of alone time to heal... that is, until she meets Preston.

Preston is best friends with her roommate, completely hot, and off-limits.  But the chemistry between them is instantaneous--and as the pair begins to spend more time with one another, their feelings for each other build into something undeniable, something powerful enough to heal Olivia's deepest scars.

Olivia tries to put her own past behind her and trust Preston, but she discovers that his past might be more present than she ever bargained for...

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Review:
My reaction after reading this jewel: Holy Shucks, Super Maple Fudge.

And that's an understatement. I was able to request this book off of NetGalley. And usually when I do that the books I'm granted are "eh" and so I was expecting the same with this one. THANK THE LORD I took a chance and requested this book.

As soon as I read the first few lines I was hooked. From the start, I felt every emotion and was connected to a character that I had just meet, and I knew I was in for a ride.

First off let me start with the love of my life. Preston. Oh Lord. I don't think y'all understand how much I fell in love with him. Is it crazy that I have said prayers to God asking for a guy like him? Because I have, I'm not kidding. Preston, to me, quickly hit the top spot on my book boyfriend list mainly because he fishes. Lord knows I love a man who fishes. Besides fishing, everything about him was spot on what I want in a guy and it's painful how fictional he is but how REAL he could be. Man, I never felt this jealous of a fictional character. To have a guy love you with that kind of passion and do anything and everything he can to be be there for you is what dreams are made of. It's good to know at least books take part in those dreams. Believe me when I say that from now when I'm saying my prayers I'll be asking for a Preston Riggs in my life.

Now Kara and Rose. GAH (that is a sound of endearment). As soon as I was introduced to these amazing side characters I was invested in their lives. I loved everything about them from the way Kara was scattered brain and loveable to Rose knowing what needed to be done and standing firm and being the focal point that was needed. Usually when a book is loaded with side characters, the book seems to drag focusing too much on them than the main character, but that is absolutely not the case here. They all have a pivotal point in the Olivia's life, they emphasize her character rather than taking the spotlight for themselves.

Olivia. Where to start. 
Man, you're words left long lasting impressions on my heart. And they normally don't stay this long after finishing a book. You're words had meaning and deep, deep emotion. One to many times, I'd catch an escaped tear running away after reading your poems and letters. I felt everything from your wittiness (which had me bursting out loud) to your despair (which had me clutching my chest and grabbing Kleenexes). The struggles you went through and the redemption you had at the end is inspiring, and it goes to show the situations that can be conquered when we put our mind to it.

Everything about this book was mind-blowingly amazing. All the characters leech onto you (in a good way) and have their way with your heart. Pieces of Olivia goes from sorrow-filled to humor-filled to swooning and then back like crazy and you can't help but enjoy it. This is probably one of my favorite books this year. And hopefully y'all pick this book up as soon as it releases and we can talk about how dreamy Preston is and how awesome the characters are. 

Impatiently waiting for December
-Vangie
Romans 8:37
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Before You Break by Christina Lee


"Guilt and regret are powerful things."

Title: Before You Break

Author: Christina Lee

Published Date: February 18th 2014

Rating: FIVE GOLDEN STARS

Synopsis: A college baseball star isn't supposed to have skeletons in his closet. But Daniel Quinn is hiding a guilty past so dark he refuses to let anyone get close. Except there's something about gorgeous, studious Ella Abrams that goes beyond the electric attraction between them--something that makes him want to open up.

Ella has suffered enough heartache and guilt to fill one of her psychology textbooks, but she keeps that part of herself hidden behind a bubbly exterior. Until she receives an anonymous call while working a suicide helpline and the voice on the other end touches something inside of her that she can't ignore.

Soon Ella and Quinn's physical connection heats up, even as their deep and revealing hotline talks intensify. But by the time Ella realizes that her seductive jock and her sensitive caller are the same guy, it might be too late to save him--or to stop herself from falling too far...

Review:
"What keeps you going?"
Holy hot dang. There was just something about this book that grabbed me and didn't let go. And I didn't want to be let go, ever. Was it the amazing characters, was it their own story, was it their connection, was it the words that jumped of the pages, was it the emotions that coursed through you? For me, it was all of the above and then some.
"I was leaving one fire behind and walking into another."
What took me so long to grab this book is beyond me. I must not have read the synopsis then, because when I read it before starting this adventure it was the one thing that caught me.
"The pain never truly goes away, so you have to... file it away. And get busy living your life."
Before You Break really hit something in my heart, maybe because the story was a little close to home or because I felt every god dang emotion in this book. I was one of the characters; I wasn't just a reader. Quinn's story is of huge importance and I would be lying if I said anything else. I was intrigued about Ella's story, but mainly I wanted to know everything about Quinn, how he'd grow with what was festering inside him.
"It sucks that you can't pick your family members. But you can choose who you surround yourself with and how you handle what you're dealt in life."
Don't get me wrong, Ella is a kick ass character and I fell more in love with her getting to know her more. If anything, I inspire to be her. She still struggles through life and yet she's able to conquer her emotions and not completely obliterate them but use them to her advantage. And she's REAL. She jumped off the pages not just pieces of her, I saw her in everyone I passed by; she wasn't the character that was just a character in a book everything about her was real.
"I was the sweet, cute girl. Never gorgeous. Beautiful. Sexy."
But then you have Quinn. And how you can't love Quinn is beyond me. When I say Ella is real, somehow Quinn is more. More everything, if that helps any. Quinn is just there, he's pretty hard to miss. He's all consuming and I would've killed Ella if she didn't do anything about her feelings for him. I felt a connection to Quinn that I haven't felt with a lot of characters. And I guess that's why I say this story was close to home. And it was weired being connected to the male character than a female one, because that hasn't happened to me before.
"So what do you do when all the good inside you was yanked deep into the abyss of your soul because of one big event?"
Now that doesn't mean that Quinn is feminine because holy heck is he not and Ella can tell you that much. Ella's and Quinn's relationship was off the charts. BUT even with all the hotness that floats around them and is very much apparent, this NA is a really tamed down version of what I've read. And that's saying that the emotions coursing through steamier NA characters are the same that course through Ella and Quinn. It gives you a perspective of what a relationship could be like if sex wasn't the main point. I mean sex is awesome but sometimes it doesn't have any meaning to the main characters but that is definitely not the case in this book.
"Maybe they were attention seekers. Or maybe they needed a stranger to unload on."
I can go on and on about this amazing book and when I do it'll be when we can talk about this book. So grab it, because I eagerly want to talk about this book to someone.
"You are good through and through."
Off reading Rachel's story
-Vangie

Proverbs 3:5
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