Madness (Shadow-Keepers)

Got to love the cover I mean you can totally judge the book by its cover and you won't be disappointed.

Summary:
A Darkly Sweet, Twisted Retelling of The Beauty and the Beast.  

A night could change everything. 
Consume a cold heart in heat… 
Open a heart that has been closed… 
Intertwine two lives for a lifetime…and beyond. 

The only thing Reno Sundown has ever known is pain. How to take it and how to use it. He was created that way and once his purpose was done, he was locked away. Never had he known good, laughter, love until he met her. 

Emma Devenmore has always focused on one thing, family. The eldest of her sisters, she has made life centered on protection. Protecting her family and doing her job of protecting others. A love story was never in her plans, until she met him. 

By chance, their paths cross and both were forever changed. A Beauty left yearning for a Beast, who had opened her up to something she had never dreamed of. 

A Beast left wanting for a Beauty, who had unlocked emotions he never knew possible, and never was supposed to know existed. 

Once paths are crossed, can they ever be uncrossed? Once they are crossed, are they destined to grow together? Or can they only be consumed by complete Madness?

Rating:

Review:

If you are looking for an ever entertaining and interesting book that can suck you into its world, then this is the book. Even though romance has a dominant hand in this book I loved the collaboration of our world with the author’s interesting Grid system. With all the cool myth and suspense showed in this book, I can’t wait to read the next instalment.

Reno - Sweet, hot, sexy, innocent guy who can make you swoon over him without even him intending to.

And then there’s Sundown(Reno’s split personality) who’s bloody funny and major kickass.

Together it’s the perfect combination.

But apart from this what made me love Reno more is his attitude towards life and how content he’s with the life he has. He’s insecure like a little boy which made me feel.

Normally too sweet/hot heroes make me wanna puke but Reno is different. You guys will know the difference when you read this book.

And then there’s Emma, Reno’s love of life. She’s strong and doesn't take crap and thank Ward she's not a doormat. Imagine my relief.

I love how the romance between Reno and Emma was portrayed beyond sexual appeal or sex. And made me wonder, “Is there a mystery hiding behind this?”.

The other characters were also portrayed in such a way that it was as if I've known these characters for a long time. Like Bounce who’s frustrated from his lack of memory and the past that's haunting him, Bella who lost her father, Jess who makes tough decisions if it’s the right thing to do and of course Sophie the Rugrat who might turn into a biggest plot twist too.

Portrayal of Gods like Yin Yang, Omega, Epsilon, and Lucifer were wait for it....

Especially Epsilon character fascinated me with his madness and revenge thoughts.

But some things were confusing at start which turned me off a bit yet no worries because it all gets cleared at the end of the book

Like I said before, this book have so many potential mysteries which can turn the story into any direction.

I can’t wait to read Lust. Thanks to Jas.T Ward for creating such an amazing world.

And last but not least I think I found the perfect gif of how Reno felt most of the time.
And oh boy  he had no idea what was inside him.

Vacation

Summary:

Dr. William Koval, a pragmatist with little faith in humanity, prefers to dwell in the eerily comforting microscopic realm, where he is master of his domain. But his worldview is upended when he decides to go on the English walking tour his wife had been planning before her murder three years earlier. Only when William confronts his past, including his troubled marriage, will he find a way to rejoin the living, to move forward, and perhaps love again. The real journey, he discovers, lies within.

Rating:

Review:

For J.C.Miller's awesome writing.

Vacation is one of thosepowerful compelling novels where you get sucked in and so consumed that you can’t think about anything until you finish reading it.

And I felt deep connection with William. And truth to be told it’s been so long since I got connected deeply with a character. As the story navigates I found myself in those places through the author’s lively and artful words.

The main characters or the others weren’t portrayed as perfect either in looks or character. But she managed to bring life and true beauty out of those characters.

Small things like Will’s lack of planning, frustration towards travelling and the time where he almost tried to flee from London were funny and memories of Kathleen both bringing smile and haunting him at the same time is heart-wrenching. He’s going through life transition and it wasn’t clumsy at all. Miller portrayed his life as elegant as a butterfly’s transition.

I loved it even more when the Vacation was turning into more than something mundane. He sees Annie, a brilliant woman who has no interest in him according to Will but their attraction towards each other is so obvious to their travel companions.

Will’s passion towards science and the way he relates everything to science makes him more real. Even though I loved the Bloodstones, just like Will I got a wee bit angry when they interrupted Will’s moments with Annie. The description is so vivid that at times I felt like I was literally going on that vacation.

When things finally got started between Will and Annie I was really joyful and started making happy noises for which I got weird looks from my family members. And then comes the ultimate twist from fate, and I was like ‘REALLY’ and internally screamed ‘WHY?’. I hate fate. It’s cruel.

“Principles of biology and physiology-humanity could be defined within these constructs. But human emotions were altogether different. They changed and blurred. They were permeable and messy. Muddy. Maddening.”

To put it out in Liz’s words

“My God, Koval, I can only imagine. As if you haven’t had enough shit for one lifetime.”

Liz and Will friendship is amazing and well-written. She was supportive to Will no matter what. Their friendship showed that busy schedule doesn’t affect friendship. When we his flashbacks of Kath it’s clear that Will wasn’t the one to take things to next level or isn’t a big fan of confrontation. But the happiness which he got from Annie made him more dauntless. Although he struggled even with his new found bravery he finally called Annie to patch things up.

I did hated Annie wee bit for giving Will a hard time even though sheknew about Will’s pain. But I respected Annie because she was treated badly and she held her dignity. Annie’s childhood wasn’t great either which gives reason for her self-doubt and fear of especially in relationship with Will. But Will isn’t ready to lose his love and happiness not this time. He got through his fear of confronting and that ‘place and person’ which was haunting him. He chased Annie and made bold moves so that she had no choice but to get through her own fear and love him with whole heart giving no place for fear or doubts.

This book is about life-transition of a person who faced the extremities of life. Seeing numbness and beauty through Will’s mind is both soul-crushing and beautiful.

Favourite quotes:

“What was it about gay men that women flock to them? Envy stabbed at William’s chest.”

“What did it matter? His future was as grey as the English sky.” 

Drops of Rain (Hale Brothers Series #1)

SUMMARY:

RATING: 

REVIEW:

I absolutely loved it. The story is about Ali and Drew, who had to face the unfairness of life at very young age. The author delivered the emotions with excellence that I felt theirs as mine. I loved Ali’s special connection with dragon flies and Drew’s freedom feel with swimming. It makes the characters, their story, and emotions all so true and beautiful. Usually in a romance book I tend to fall in love with the characters but it is very rare when I fall in love with MC’s love itself. I experienced it in this book. Also Ali’s passion for her future, career is something that’s rare in YA novels these days.

This young love is powerful, compelling, emotional and overall incredible. And when I mean compelling I literally can’t watch, read, or do anything until I finish this book. Not only I loved the MC’s but also the other character like Drew, Matt and their friends circle too.

And about Ali, I loved her more than Drew. Now that’s rare for me especially in a romance YA novel. Drew grew up with his abusive father, while it’s hard at least he’s used to it. But for Ali, unfairness is thrust upon her immediately with no warning and she’s got to deal with a lot yet she’s strong with the strength from her late mother and Dragon flies. She concentrated on dance with passion. She never settles for less. When she thought Drew was being mean to her, she got hurt but she didn't abandon her passion or self-respect because of life's bitterness. She’s an amazing girl and I love her a lot.

I loved moments that involved the appearance of Dragon flies. I cherished those moments for a matter of fact. And the time when she killed and cried over it makes this story more real and beautiful. The author made me love Dragon flies now. I won’t ever be the same when I see a Dragon fly in my life again.

Never the less I love Drew too. He always looked out for his brother the way he knows. I can’t blame him for not acting against his father earlier because he’s grown into it and until the situation came he saw his swimming as his way out. Also he never hated his mother for not protecting them, which made me love him even more though I can't say same with his mother. Nevertheless his empathy towards Cassidy is amazing too. Deep down he's passionate towards swimming but it makes me a little because most he see it as an escape. I just wish his sorrow gets washed away. Good thing is that it does.

With Ali and Drew together I loved them, their relationship, also the little family created along the way.
But why 3.5 stars?
Here is the reason for that. I found Cassidy parts clichéd and Mean Girls drama. And the way Drew and Ali first met. I loved their progress in love but not their first meet. When I read that part I got a wee bit irritated to be honest thinking that this is going to be one those ordinary romance novels. But thanks to Kathryn Andrews for proving me wrong. For a début novel this is brilliantly written with amazing quotes.
And I know the most dreadful part yet to come in Drew’s life. While expected it to be dramatic ( which I never prefer it) it was written with reality and truth. And I am glad it happened to Drew after he met Ali, because I personally think without Ali he would never have the strength to stand against his father.
I just want to thank Kathryn Andrews for making my first ARC book experience as a beautiful one. This book will always hold a special place in my heart.

Credit to Kathryn Andrews for these beautiful pictures

NOTE: I can't wait to read about the other Hale brothers.

Ugly Love

Summary: When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

Rating:

Review:
This is me after reading Ugly Love.

The story was fine, okay, not bad, maybe even good but that’s what disappoints me terribly. Colleen’s books aren’t supposed to be fine, okay, not bad, maybe even good. They are supposed to be unique, beautiful and heart-warming. They are supposed to steal a place in your heart with it’s beauty.
Ugly Love is not bad. It’s one of those ordinary romance books you get stuck with when you have nothing else to read. I’m disappointed maybe because I expected more from Colleen. But that’s only because her other books were unique, incredible, powerful and well- written.
Reasons why I got irritated at times while reading it: 
1-I can’t get connected to the story or MC’s. Even if I did, the 5 year old Miles POV breaks it and gets me back to square one. 
2-There is no beautiful little scenes that I usually get from Colleen’s other books, where here there’s only sex. 
3-Finding Cinderella has more character development than Ugly Love (considering the fact that Finding Cinderella is a novella). 
4-Miles POV is a like a 5 year old's. It did help the readers to understand Miles’ reactions but the not well- written part really bugged me. 
5-Tate easily gave in to Miles. She was humiliated and she should have shown some anger in this conversation. She should have talked what she thought at that time because it would have made some sense.
“Are you sleeping with him?” he asks, finally resting his eyes on mine as they search for truth.
That’s none of your business, Miles.
“No,” I say instead.
“Have you kissed him?”
Still not your business, Miles.
“No.”
Things that kept me reading this book: 
1-Cap. He’s the best and I like him more than the main characters. I love how he doesn’t give advice but say something related to it for others to understand it on their own.
2-Ian. I wish he could have got more pages. He’s the best friend everyone should have. I would be willing read about him more.
3-Corbin. Best over protective brother ever. I loved him too.

I loved the whole Pilot deal too. The Pilot thing was supposed to be Colleen’s uniqueness in this book. While in her other books, the uniqueness she created would have blended well along with the story and the characters here it looks like the uniqueness have thrust upon it which resulted in not a good product.

I was as I said pretty disappointed after reading this but then later I saw Colleen posting the link to the Epilogue of Finding Cinderella. After reading it I remembered why I love her books so much. I swore that I won’t have any expectations for her future books. I just hope that it’s better than Ugly Love.

Ugly Love is just an ordinary book.

Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy

Beautiful cover, but the beauty stops right there.

SUMMARY:
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY: When college student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating.  The unworldly Ana realizes she wants this man, and Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian’s secrets and explores her own desires.

FIFTY SHADES DARKER: Daunted by Christian’s dark secrets and singular tastes, Ana has broken off their relationship to start a new career. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and while Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana is forced to make the most important decision of her life.

FIFTY SHADES FREED: Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to turn Ana’s deepest fears into reality. 

MY RATING:

MY THOUGHTS:

After reading this book I decided not to do a review because there are thousands of other better reviews about why it’s not worth the hype and several other things which I certainly felt too.

 But do you know what made me do this review? It’s the author’s incapability of receiving a bad review. And I mean, wow, I was shocked. More shocked than reading this book. And calling someone a “sad fuck” just because of their bad review. I mean Miss James never fails to surprise me.

 Anyways back to the review. Some say it’s a rip-off from twilight. IT CERTAINLY IS NOT. Edward may be a stalker but considering his inexperience with women let’s say we cut him some slack, because despite this fact he is a gentleman and not an abuser. So we all know the story of how Ana stumbles in to both Christian’s office and life blah blah blah I have no story to continue from this point because it’s filled sex, erotica, BDSM and nonsense.

 The funny thing is whenever Ana’s brain try to work out her situation, her horny side a.k.a her “inner goddess” shut those useful thoughts and make her think only about Christian Grey and time she had sex with him. Somebody please correct if I’m wrong but should a women only follow her horny part rather than her brain? From what I’ve read, Miss James implies that throughout the trilogy.

 And let’s talk about our infamous Christian Grey. He stalks but is it really stalking because he’s not doing that in person, he’s doing it through technology or Taylor. Last time I checked 

it still screams STALKING in any dictionary. So yeah it’s stalking.

Book 2: Miss James makes Ana to have a backbone and some sense from her actions in the prequel. For a second I thought there may be some character development but imagine my surprise when things go back the way it is. Ana seems to make a stand and Christian slightly seem to change. In this book I really thought there’s still hope that this might turn into a healthy relationship for both. Well that changed when I read the next one.

Book 3: Things go back to the way it is. Christian usually gets his way around people through money. In Ana’s case he uses sex. Whenever Ana tries to think about a problem, he distracts her with sex so that she can’t think through it. Great strategy. Even a small child could see this but our Ana couldn’t see this because she’s so innocent it seems. WELL AGAIN IT’S NOT INNOCENCE IT’S STUPIDITY. The flaws enlisted are only from the story and there are other well explained reviews out there to point out many of the flaws that I’ve missed. One may ask “Why read all three books when you hated the first one from the start?” The reason is I was really curious to know what had happened to someone that could make them this fucked up. And the end of the first book showed Ana finally got her backbone (which was just a cheap trick) and I couldn't put down this book. It was like a drug. But this trilogy is such a waste. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone, not even my worst enemy.

But let me come back to the reason why I felt compelled to write this review. It’s none other than the fact that the author herself. I just want to conclude my opinion on her with a quote.

 “If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” ― J.K. Rowling Likewise. If you want to know what an author’s like, take a good look at how they treat their bad critics not their good critics. This is what I strongly believe. I mean it’s one thing ignore critics but insulting them, I don’t have anything more to say. She may write good books in the future but she definitely lost her good author statement with me. Sad thing is it’s not by her words or books but her attitude.

And Finally

Category: Romance

SUMMARY:  Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time

MY RATING:

This is not your average/typical romance book. If you are looking for sugary hugs and kisses with a happily ever-after with the intention of shedding only glad tears. I'm sorry but this ain't the book for you.

Right now this me but I'll move on tell what I really loved

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And I really appreciate the author on how she handled this delicate issue and truthfully portrayed the mind of the people who want to make decisions like Will’s. Another thing is that the author didn’t try the readers to fall in love with the characters by physical appearances.

As I read the book my insides were filled with this warm feeling and appreciating this book with all the known good words known to me.
Louisa Clark- I loved her and her observations and predictions about people. She is the portrayal of most the people who don’t know their full potential and settling for less or never trying this is it. And she spoke out everything without holding back. 
Will Trayson- I loved him too not at first of course but through the story just like Lou I fell in love with him slowly and steadily. Even it’s hard for me I supported his choice eventually like Lou, even before she did. And I hope he realize that he made her life great just like Lou did.
I loved the progress, the conversations, in the story with some chapters from other characters POV. This book is induced with a big dose of reality also some deep life shit quotes which is not highlighted as dialogues (which for some reason I liked it). The character, the setting, the surrounding are original with their own ups and downs. They make them more real making me think what if this isn’t some fiction but a real life story.
Altogether If you want a brilliant read, just read it already

Introduction

Hey fangirls and fanboys, as you can see from the description I am an avid fangirl who loves everything. But mostly this blog will be about Book Review because that's why this blog was started in first place. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
To every bookworm out there have a happy read and I welcome you all with a fitting quote