#BooksRead2017 – Page 2 – Cindy's Love Of Books

Review/ Paper Hearts by Ali Novak

Posted on November 8, 2017November 30, 2017 by Cindy

Paper Hearts (The Heartbreakers Chronicles, #2) by Ali Novak
Format: Paperback
Published by Sourcebooks Fire on July 4th 2017
Pages: 384
Goodreads

“I’m sorry,” he said, slowly untying the ribbon that held his mask in place. “It’s just…I didn’t want you to think of me any differently.”
Somehow I kept my mouth from falling open. I knew his face, but my mind couldn’t accept that he was the person looking down at me.
“My real name is Alec.”
Felicity has her entire future planned. Ever since her older sister ran away, she’s had the full weight of her mother’s expectations on her shoulders. So she works hard to get straight As and save for college.
Except sometimes the best things in life are unplanned—like when Felicity meets a handsome, masked stranger while she is volunteering at a charity masquerade ball. She never thought he’d flirt with her. And she certainly never thought he’d turn out to be a member of the world-famous band the Heartbreakers.
Then Felicity uncovers a shocking family secret. Suddenly, she, Alec, and her two best friends are off on a road trip to find Felicity’s missing sister. And she’s about to discover that unexpected turns have a peculiar way of landing her right where she needs to be…

This is the second book in The Heartbreaker Chronicles. The third book called Heartstrings is currently in the works and no release date has been said yet.

Paper Hearts can be read as a stand alone since its not a continuous story line. I did read this right after I read The Heartbreakers.

If you read my previous review then you know that The Heartbreakers are a band and each book focuses on a different band member/couple. Stella and Oliver do make appearances in the book but if you were to read it as a stand alone it would be fine. They don’t play a major role in the story line.

Paper Hearts focuses on Alec and Felicity. I have to say that right now Alec is one of my favorite band member, he is quiet and private. I think Felicity compliments him well even though she has gone through more then any person should. Her life is like a soap opera with all the drama but through it all she sticks with it and plows ahead.

Felicity uncovers a secret that has been hidden and the truth wasn’t told so she is determined to find her sister and Alec is there every step of the way to help her find her even if it means a road trip. She even brings along her BFF’s Aisha and Boomer. She soon realizes that this trip is more then she bargained for with all the hidden secrets coming out. Can she handle the truth or will it be too much?

This was another super quick read and I can’t wait to continue this series.

Review/ The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak

Posted on November 7, 2017November 30, 2017 by Cindy

The Heartbreakers (The Heartbreakers Chronicles, #1) by Ali Novak
Published by Sourcebooks on August 4th 2015
Pages: 336
Goodreads

When I met Oliver Perry, I had no clue he was the lead singer for the Heartbreakers.
And he had no idea that I was the only girl in the world who hated his music.
Stella will do anything for her sister—even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD…for three hours. At least she met a cute boy at the Starbucks beforehand. A blue-eyed boy who looks an awful lot like…
Oliver Perry. Of course Starbucks guy is the lead singer for her least favorite band. Thanks, universe. But there may be more to Oliver than his world-famous charm, because even after she insults his music—to his face—he still gives her his number. Seriously, what is her life?
But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver—dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band—when her sister could be dying of cancer?

This past summer I was cleaning up my book shelves to get ready for summer, so that I could figure out what I wanted to read and I stumbled up The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak and I am embarrassed to say that this has been sitting in my TBR since I picked it up at BEA in 2015. Yes I do still have a few books sitting on my shelf that I picked up at BEA.

This is the first book in The Heartbreakers Chronicles and it was a fairly quick read,

Our main character is Stella Samuel, who is a high school graduate with a passion for photography. Stella is also a triplet. She has a sister Cara who has cancer and is a cheerleader and a brother, Drew who is the joke of the family.

When Cara has diagnosed with cancer, Stella puts her life on hold and stops pursuing her passion of going to college in NYC. Cara is obsessed with a boy band called The Heartbreakers, a band that neither Stella or Drew share the same passion for. Cara basically lives and breathes this band and fears that she will never get to see them perform live.

Stella and Drew come up with an idea of traveling from Minnesota to Chicago to obtain the bands autograph as a surprise gift to Cara. You can tell how much the siblings love each other and what they are willing to do to make their sister happy.

Finally arriving in Chicago. Stella makes a pit stop into Starbucks for her morning coffee, she bumps into a cute guy, Oliver, who buys her coffee, thinking nothing of it she goes about her way because she has no clue what the boys in the band look like until she bumps into them at the hotel. Stella makes it well known that she doesn’t like the band or their music but still Oliver gives her his number and he slowly picks away at her until she starts to like the music and the boy.

Little did Stella realize but this trip was so much more then just getting an autograph for her sister its also making her realize that she needs to move on with her life and do things she wants to do but will she do it or will she remain behind to take care of Cara?

I loved how Oliver was able to get through to Stella and watching their relationship develop was cute. This was a fun read to break up the normal reading routine.

So after attempting to write my review I discovered that this is suppose to be a four book series and each boy in the band will have his own book and encounters with love. I have to say that as cheesy as these books are i want to read them and live my teenage life over again when I used to crush of a boy band and wish I was dating one of the members. Didn’t we all do that?

Review/ Beyond Love

Posted on November 3, 2017November 3, 2017 by Cindy

Beyond Love (Beyond, #2) by D.D. Marx
Published by Beyond Dreams Publishing Group on November 7th 2017
Pages: 184
Goodreads

After trusting in her beloved friend Dan’s guidance from above, Olivia is finally on the path to realizing her destiny. Staring at a blank canvas after ditching her raucous corporate life and meeting the love of her life, Finn McDaniels, a hot, widowed, celebrity chef, she is ready to begin anew. When she arrives back home to tie up the loose ends in Chicago, she receives more frightening news further delaying her journey with Finn. Unable to control the outcome, she begins questioning her trust and faith in Dan once again. She distracts herself the only way she knows how, by diving head first into a new project. What seemed like a time killer may actually be the thing that saves her and catapults her into a world she never dreamed of.

When Olivia and Finn finally reunite, a deep dark secret is uncovered threatening to ruin the relationship she has waited for her entire life. Olivia is forced to decide whether to tell Finn or let it live in the past forever. Is their relationship strong enough to weather the storm or will it cause them to part ways for good?

I quickly want to thank Laura from iReadBookTours for allowing me to be a part of the tour for this series and for sending me copies of the book to read for my honest and sincere review.

This is the second book in the series and it picks up where Beyond Believing ended. You can click HERE to read my review of that book.

Once again the book is told in two points of view and that is of Olivia and Finn. I was excited to start this because I wanted to know what our lovely couple was up to. This book did not disappoint and I should warn you in advance this is another one that you should have tissues on hand because there were a few moments I was crying a bit.

This was also a super quick read and I have to thank spraining my ankle last week for allowing me to read this pretty much in one sitting. It felt strange being able to curl up on the couch and read during the day. Its been awhile since I have done that.

I should say that I wouldn’t read this as a book on its own and that you really should read the first book to get the full story line. I am excited to see where the third book will go with this.

Anyways back to the book. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil it and because its the second book in the series. But what I will say is that Olivia and Finn have decided to move in together so she is in the process of selling her condo so that she can move to California.

One her way back from being with Finn she is on the airplane and discovers that her seat mate is related to one of her best friends from college and before long they are all hanging out. This makes you realize how small the world really is.

Beyond Love comes with all kinds of twists and turns. Just when you think you are living the life and things are going good you are suddenly reminded that its not all a bed of roses. Thats exactly what happens once Olivia gets back to Chicago. Without going into to much detail she gets some bad news that literally shakes up her world and leaves her questioning things and Dan. Whenever there was a problem or situation that came up she turned to Dan for guidance and he would some how convoy the message that things will be okay but with everything that is happening she is questioning if Dan is really there for her. Questioning why he would send her someone only to have him possibly taken away from her.

When Olivia and Finn are finally able to reunite things seem good but then a secret from Olivia’s past has come to surface and she is struggling about what to do. Does she keep it hidden? Or does she come clean and possibly risking her future with Finn?

I can’t wait to read the third and finally book, Beyond Forever to see what happens to Olivia and Finn. Be sure to come back in early December to read my review of that. I am actually just about ready to curl back up on the couch to read it now.

Review/ There’s Someone Inside Your House

Posted on October 7, 2017 by Cindy

There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
Format: Hardcover
Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers on September 26th 2017
Pages: 289
Goodreads

Scream meets YA in this hotly-anticipated new novel from the bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss.

One-by-one, the students of Osborne High are dying in a series of gruesome murders, each with increasing and grotesque flair. As the terror grows closer and the hunt intensifies for the killer, the dark secrets among them must finally be confronted.

International bestselling author Stephanie Perkins returns with a fresh take on the classic teen slasher story that’s fun, quick-witted, and completely impossible to put down.

I had to admit before getting into my review that I have not read Stephanie Perkins first books and I am not quite sure why because I have them sitting on my tbr but after reading this I really think I want to haul them off and binge read. I know those first books are a completely different genre but still I am now curious to read them.

I really enjoyed reading this one, I was hooked right away and had a hard time putting the book down at times.

This is completely outside my normal reading genre as you may notice and the reason I don’t read horror is because I have an over active imagination so these kinds of books I don’t usually gravity towards because I am up half the night being paranoid and worried. I do have to say that this isn’t a really horrifying book, I mean yes there was blood and killings but it wasn’t like watching Scream.

I am going to try and be careful with my review because I don’t want to give too much away but if you read the description you get a good feel for what the book is about.

Our main character, Makani, has moved from Hawaii to live with her grandmother in a small Nebraska town. She has no real relationship her parents and I was always wondering why and why did she move to live with her grandmother and that is slowly revealed as you read the book because you know there is a secret there. This secret still haunts her to this day and she has kept in guarded.

We are introduced to quite a few characters such as Alex, Darby, Ollie, Haley, Caleb, Rosemarie and a few others. At first I thought it was going to be too much to keep track of but it was easy to keep track of who was who and the part they play in the story. With the kids that are killed it would have been nice if they had a little more of a story line apart from when they were being killed if that makes sense. It was almost like characters were quickly introduced then killed. I think I might have enjoyed it a lot more had this been the case and they had a stronger storyline.

As for the killer I liked how it was built up because you didn’t really have an idea who it was (I had no idea who it was as there was no introduction of this character before hand) and I wish it would have lasted a bit longer or at least offered a few clues as to who it could be before hand. As for the reason why the killer killed was a bit of a let down. ‘

Over all it was a good book and I had no idea what to expect when I started to read it and I did enjoy reading it and its actually made me think about hauling her other books off my TBR to read.

Have you read this? What did you think?

Review/ Black Bird of the Gallows

Posted on September 11, 2017September 11, 2017 by Cindy

Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel
Published by Entangled Publishing on September 5th 2017
Pages: 300
Goodreads

A simple but forgotten truth: Where harbingers of death appear, the morgues will soon be full.
Angie Dovage can tell there’s more to Reece Fernandez than just the tall, brooding athlete who has her classmates swooning, but she can’t imagine his presence signals a tragedy that will devastate her small town. When something supernatural tries to attack her, Angie is thrown into a battle between good and evil she never saw coming. Right in the center of it is Reece—and he’s not human.
What's more, she knows something most don't. That the secrets her town holds could kill them all. But that’s only half as dangerous as falling in love with a harbinger of death.

Before being my review I have to thank Chapter By Chapter for allowing me to be a part of this book tour and to Entangled Publishing for sending me a eArc of the book to read for my honest review and participation in the tour.

I personally have to admit that I love taking part in book tours because you can always find a hidden gem in them. The past few months I decided that I really wanted to branch out in my reading genres and the book tours have been allowing me to do that.

Black Bird in the Gallows is not within my typical reading genre as its described as fantasy, mythology with I would say some touches of mystery and romance to it as well. In the past I would have looked the other way but I am really happy I took a chance on this debut novel and I will definitely pick up future books that Meg writes.

It was a pretty quick read although it did take me a few days to read. So there was no breezing through this one this time. Even with reading it a few days ago I am still thinking about this book. I have no idea what to compare it to and I think this is a good thing, right?

Our main character is Angie/Sparo (who I have to say I loved. She came off like a girl next door that you could see yourself being friends with.) has living in a van with her mother for quite some time and Angie is trying to get use to living a normal life with her dad and friends. I loved the relationship she had with her dad because it was so real and how he is so involved impressed me. Angie is just a typical girl but is insecure and at the same time she is a kickass girl who doesn’t back down to anyone even though she is basically being bullied and I think thats how a lot of readers will be able to relate to her. As you get to know her she is a girl of many hidden talents.

Then Reese moves in next door and he seems like a strange character at first because he has a flock of crows that come with him. I thought that was a little creepy at first because I always have associated crows with bad things. I know Reese comes off like I am the man but deep down I could see he wanted to trust Angie and welcome her into his world. I love how he never forced Angie do anything she didn’t want and he let her have a voice.

I think Angie and Reese are my current favorite couple. Their relationship was sweet and innocent and not rushed. I loved watching this develop into something and that Meg didn’t give them a smooth ride in this relationship both over came a lot bumps in the road.

All I can say is you must read this because I can’t describe it in words without wanting to tell you all about the book and that will mean giving away spoilers.

Review/ Diary of a Teenage Jewel Thief by Rosie Somers

Posted on August 18, 2017August 16, 2017 by Cindy

Diary of a Teenage Jewel Thief by Rosie Somers
Format: eARC
Published by Entangled Publishing, LLC (Crush) on August 8th, 2017
Goodreads

Most sixteen-year-olds shouldn't know where museums keep their rarest jewels (the basement) and they really shouldn't know that vans make the worst getaway cars. But for Marisol Flores, a life of jewel thievery is a birthright handed down from generation to generation, even if she didn't ask for it. So when a rival thief targets Mari and her mother, Mari's more than happy to flee to the anonymity of bustling New York City.
Blending in is a dream come true for Mari, but keeping her former thieving ways a secret gets way more complicated when handsome Will Campbell sets his sights on her. She can't help but like his terrible puns and charming grin...but when her past catches up with her, it's not only her life-and her anonymity-that's at stake.
Will could be the next target.

I received this book for free from publisher/pr firm in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I am once again super thankful to YA Reads for allowing me to be a part of another blog tour for another great book. Thanks to Entangled Publishing for sending me a ecopy of the book to read and review for the tour.

This was another quick and fun read and perfect for this time of the year. The perfect summer read.

I have to say the only thing I was disappointed in was the title because I was expecting this to be like a diary of all Marisol’s jewel heists but in reality its not. So for me that was a little bit of a let down but none the less I still really enjoyed the book. That is a quick on sitting read.

Marisol and her mother are professional jewel thieves but after their last heist that nearly got them caught they have decided to move to NYC and their rival. They want to live a normal life.

The book opens up with them stealing jewels from a museum in France and then being interrupt by their rival thankfully they are able to escape with the jewels and their lives intact.

Marisol and her mother are now living in the hustle and bustle of NYC and Marisol is set to begin her first day of school. This will be her sixth school in three years and she is only 16 years old. She is hoping that she will just blend in and not draw attention to herself but that doesn’t last long when she draws the attention of the good looking Will. This is all new to her because she has never had friends.

I have to say that I loved Marisol because as nervous and awkward that she was she went out there and embraced the friendship with Will and joining a club to make friends. I loved that as close as her and Will were getting that she didn’t let him define the relationship and she did what she wanted.

Will was the same way and he let Marisol do what she wanted and never forced her to do something she didn’t want to do. I think in a lot of relationships people are too quick to give up things for their partner. Yes we are in a relationship but we still need our friends and our own hobbies.

As the story progresses you see the slow building of the relationship between Marisol and Will. It was so cute to read it. I think I like these kinds of story lines more when its slow then when its all rushed and feels rushed.

So back to the story. Out of the blue Marisol’s uncle appears and at first they don’t think anything of it uncle Marisol realizes she is being followed and Will gets kidnapped. Will this expose who Marisol and her mother are to Will? Can she save Will from danger?

I would love for there to be another book because even though things ended neat and tidy there is still so much more to be told from these characters such as Will’s back ground? Who else was involved in Marisol’s family with heists? What happens to their arch rival?

Review: The Third Kiss by Kat Colmer

Posted on August 11, 2017August 11, 2017 by Cindy

The Third Kiss (Love’s Mortal Coil #1)
by Kat Colmer
Publication Date: August 7, 2017
pages: 380
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Love curses don’t exist. At least that’s what Jonas, master of the meaningless hookup, tells himself when a letter warns him he’s an Eros Guardian cursed to endure a test of true love or forever be alone. His levelheaded longtime friend Cora figures it’s a revenge prank by an ex. The way Jonas stamps each girlfriend with a weeklong use-by date, it serves him right.

But when an impulsive kiss between the two friends reveals potential for more, Cora becomes the target of the Groth Maar: demons sent to wipe out the Eros Guardian line. And suddenly the curse becomes dangerously real.

Breaking the curse means Jonas’s biggest challenge yet. Failure guarantees Cora’s death. But success may cost him his own life…and the loss of his carefully guarded heart to the one girl far too sensible to fall for him.

I was graciously provided with a ebook of The Third Kiss for the purpose of this review and for my participation in the blog tour for the book.

This is the first book in the series and its a debut Young Adult Paranormal Romance.

I love being able to take part in book tours because it allows you to discover hidden little gems that you might not normally hear about and this was the case. I have to admit I never heard of this book before being asked if I wanted to be on the tour and I am so happy that I joined it.

The Third Kiss is part romance, part contemporary and a little bit fantasy. This was the perfect summer read as it was light and quick to read. Once I started to read it I must admit that I had a hard time turning off my kindle at night because I just wanted to continue reading it.

The Third Kiss is based around Jonas and Cora. Cora has been in the USA for a year following her parent’s unexpected divorce but she has come back to Australia to celebrate her friends (Beth and Jonas) 18th birthday. She is both excited and nervous to be home because just before she left for the USA something happened between her and Jonas. They both don’t know how to proceed without there being some awkwardness. Jonas is a bit of a player who can’t settle down with one girl. I think deep down they both actually like each other more then friends and I kept hoping that they would throw caution to the wind and go for it. Do they you will have to read to find that out?

The night of the 18th party Jonas receives a very message and it states that he only has three chances to kiss his true love and if he fails he will be alone forever. Jonas thinks its just someone playing a joke on him. As things begin to happen Jonas begins to think differently will he act upon this or ignore it?

I have to say that I loved both Jonas and Cora. I thought they were the perfect couple if something should happen and its scary once you cross over from friends to something more. Its a risk you have to take and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

I love how the book moved along. There was no lagging in the story and it all went well together and I never once felt lost. There is action and a little romance. I loved that this romance was sweet and it felt like you were right there with the characters experiencing it.

I finished this book a little while ago before writing my review and I am still sitting here thinking about them. To me that is a sign of a really good book and I can’t wait for the next one to come out. Hopefully very soon.