Book Review: The Education of Sebastian The Education of Caroline by Jane Harvey Berrick

Title: The Education of Sebastian and The Education of Caroline 
Series: Yes
Author: Jane Harvey Berrick
POV: Heroine and Hero
Cliffhanger: Yes


On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 5
Angst: 5
Plot: 5
Thought Provoking: 4
Hangover: 5


Overall Rating: 4.8 stars


The thrill of forbidden love.


This two part series is about the love between an older woman and a much younger guy.


Their love for each other is so beautiful that you couldn't see right from wrong. 


In book one, we get to meet the two beautiful characters,  Sebastian and Caroline. We read about their life before they met, Caroline's crumbling marriage and Sebastian' s abusive childhood. We get to read about how they came together and how their love blossomed. The thrill of the forbidden is so exciting that I understood their recklessness. It's just so easy to forget the present when you are so in love. This was the start of their problem and book one ended on the height of this. My heart bled for Caroline and Sebastian at the end of this book. Their dreams were within their reach and it was abruptly taken away.


In book two, we get to meet a different Sebastian and Caroline. Both damaged from their past. Both hardened and cynical. Their issues forgotten but not left behind. Both still carrying the weight of their pain. We get to read how both tried to move on and move forward. They both failed and yet they still tried to pick up and deal with the issues. We get to experience their life as a journalist and a marine. There were so many painful parts as well as the love. In the end there were still issues that they need to settle but they are in a good place, finally.


This series is recommended to those whose interested in forbidden romances. This story is also unique in a sense that this is the first book that I read where the forbidden love is between an older woman and a younger man. It's usually the other way around.  

Book Review: Pull by Claire Wallis

Title: Push
Series: Yes
Author: Claire Wallis 
POV: Heroine
Cliffhanger: Yes


On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 4
Angst: 5
Plot: 5
Thought Provoking: 5
Hangover: 5


Overall Rating: 4.8 stars


Oh wow. What have I read? My head is still spinning. I just finished this book and my mind is still thinking of the ending. It is a total mind fk.


Last time I felt this was when I read Gone Girl. Now this book is so far from that story but yet so similar in the mind fk. I didn’t know where my head's at, the moment I read the last line.


I don't know to describe the story without giving away the mystery. Just to be vague, the story is about two broken individuals who found each other at the right time. The heroine has anger issues, abused as a child way into her college years. While the same goes for the hero who suffered way more earlier.


From the prologue I already know that the story got inside my head. We have both the hero and heroine telling it. The epilogue is also told in both views.


Throughout the story we get a bunch of other POV that I am opting not to mention. You will understand once you get started on it. 


The flow of how this was written is by alternating Emma's and David's past to present.


Initially I was not liking the seemingly fast pacing of their relationship. I mean, they've understood each other already early on and have even slept together just days after they met. Somehow it eventually leveled out when their emotional connection was built little by little into the story. The readers will definitely feel it because no matter how twisted they both are I wanted them to get their shit together and make it work.


After reading this ape shit crazy book I don’t even know if I can move on to the next. This book leaves us with a major cliffhanger and major hangover. I'm being a coward and would probably need a breather first. Good thing I already have the following book titled Pull.

Book Review: Unattainable - Madeline Sheehan

Title:Series: Unattainable
Author: Madeline Sheehan
POV: Tegen, Cage, Ellie, Dirty and a little of Deuce 
Cliffhanger: No


On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 3
Angst: 4
Plot: 4
Thought Provoking: 3
Hangover: 3


Overall Rating: 3.4 stars


Story picks up years after the epilogue of book 2. It started with Tegen. Tegen and ZZ who would have thought.


This is the next generation of Horsemen MC. The story of Cage and then Ellie, Danny's friend and Dirty.


I haven't really warmed up to liking Ellie and Tegen as they were both snobby and discriminating for their own good.


I liked Dirty though, so mysterious and brooding. I wanted to find out his issues and hug him. And when I reached that scene, I felt for him. He's become damaged because of his past.


Cage's view gives us a not so nice side to Deuce. Perplexes me how can he treat his son the same way Reaper treated him. Deuce is irritating the same as level as his sexiness.


I'm not feeling Tegen. The Cage-Tegen story is so tiring. I've had enough of their back and forth. I don't really like her for Cage. She's an ingrate and she's not true to herself. Her character is boring and she's just creating drama for drama's sake.


The only saving grace of this sequel is the story of Dirty and Ellie. His issues run so deep that I wanted to know Ellie could help him get through it. I wanted to know how they could make a relationship work.


Another character that making me come back for more is Deuce. The sexy, scary and ultimate bad boy president of the club.


Anyway towards the end of the book and it was starting to get dragging mind you, something happened that woke me up a little. Good thing though that the epilogue wasn't that far along because I was getting into the funk already.


In conclusion, I still liked this book but not as much as the first book of this series. I just wasn't in love with Tegen and Ellie. Both have redeemed themselves in the end but it didn't work for me. But this is still worth reading especially if you want to get updated with Deuce and Eva.

Book Review: Unbeautifully - Madeline Sheehan

Perspective is a bitch when it slaps you in the face, after the fact.


Title:Series: Unbeautifully
Author: Madeline Sheehan
POV: Danny, Ripper, Eva and Deuce
Cliffhanger: No


On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 4
Angst: 5
Plot: 4
Thought Provoking: 4
Hangover: 4


Overall Rating: 4.2 stars


UnBeautifully begins where Undeniable’s epilogue ended. The story then backtracks to the years that passed between the last chapter and epilogue in Undeniable, and then continues until the present.


The story started with ZZ and Danny, together and in love, with Ripper brooding on the side. How this all came to be is what this sequel is all about.


The story also deals with how the both broken Eva and Deuce picked up the pieces of the aftermath of what Frankie was done. This two really had a hard and painful life to get to where they are at the end of the book.


Told in Danny and Ripper's view, we get inside the mind of Deuce's spoiled daughter and his trusted  sidekick. We also get a lots of chapters on Deuce and Eva.


What i loved about this book is that it allowed us to catch up with the original characters. The story didn’t just focus on new characters,  but still continued along with the other original characters. It allowed focus on more than just one plot. This is a good thing because I am not yet ready to say bye to Eva and Deuce. We will get to fall more and more in love with them in this book, and hopefully in the coming books as well.


As with the first book, this is filled with violence, crime and lots and lots of cursing.  And before I forget, the sex still didn’t disappoint either! This book also sets the pace for the next book. The story of Tegen and the hottie Cage who is very much like his father. And lets not forget the turbulence that is Dorothy, Jase and Hawk for book 4.


This is recommended to those who love biker stories and for the fans of Sons of Anarchy. Read through and get updated with the Horsemen MC family.

Book Review: Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan

Title:Series: Undeniable
Author: Madeline Sheehan
POV: Eva and Deuce
Cliffhanger: No


On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 5
Angst: 5
Plot: 5
Thought Provoking: 4
Hangover: 5


Overall Rating: 4.8 stars


Initially I was quite bothered by how the older characters speak to the 5 year old Eva because of all the swearing and conversations that are not suitable for children. Eventually tho I realized that this is how it is in this book.


There are so many levels of wrong that’s happened in the book, but I couldn't help but still get engrossed in it.


When I found out soon enough the hitch that Deauce is carrying, why he couldn't be with Eva, I felt sad and disappointed. I felt mixed up as it’s pretty hard to accept something that is so wrong.


I loved Deuce and Eva together. Their connection was so strong. I felt it. I consumed it throughout the book. But I couldn't help but feel like I wanted to slap Deuce so hard for all the hurtful things he did to Eva. He paid for it though, really paid for it that left him almost broken.


I liked Eva more. She was the stubborn and badass chick that's perfect for Deuce's persona. What I didn’t like is how she helped turn crazy Frankie into an all out homicidal maniac. She mobilized him and made him crazier each day. Another thing that's hard to fathom is how despite knowing the craziness inside Frankie, the Preacher still allowed his daughter be near him and be with him. It was riduculous. But I loved her resilience. Her heart who could forgive easily. She has been dealt with so many wrongs that you would think twice how come the chick still has fire inside her.


Moving on to the sex scenes? Oh my! Way off the charts! See there are sex scenes that are detailed but some just doesn't work for me. This book though, detailed like others, but still so hot. But there were also many of those that were so downright filthy. Specifically those with other people.


I liked the writing style. There are scenes that were written on present but also gives us a glimpse of whatever's gonna happen next. It's like a quick shift of present to future which entralled me further and further into the story. And don’t think twice but this book even had scenes and conversations that were pretty funny!


And the angst! The book is so full of it. What with all the back and forth, from the declarations of love to the upfront cheating and gut wrenching words.


This book is a perfect mix of love, hope, pain, disappointment, happiness, contentment yet gut wrenching all rolled into this book. Now this is just book 1. Can't wait what the next books has in store.


This is recommended to those who loved bikers and dark romance. If you can take reading a love story with lots of crime and lots of unthinkable situations well go ahead. And I aint finished yet. There’s a whole lot of cussing and a whole lot of name calling that my brain almost shifted into this new normal. This is not for the faint hearted, even I couldn't shake some of if. So put your big girl panties on and dive right in because you will definitely get sucked and hopefully to ultimately love it. Lastly, I have no doubt that this book is inspired by the Sons of Anarchy TV series, and so if you're a fan, like me recently, this book is for you.

Book Review: Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven

Title: Bad Romeo 
Series: Yes 
Author: Leisa Rayven 
POV: heroine 
Cliffhanger: Yes

On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 4
Angst: 5
Plot: 4
Thought Provoking: 4
Hangover: 5
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

"It’s about us! It’s about me expecting things from you that I shouldn’t. It’s about me wanting romance, and dates, and intimacy that stems from more than humping and orgasms, and me wanting to tell our friends that the mystery guy I’m seeing who can turn me on with a single look or touch is you. And most of all, it’s about being angry with myself for falling for a man who told me very plainly not to fall for him! That’s what it’s about! And now it’s too late, and I feel like the stupidest person on the planet, because you’re never going to give me what I need, and I should have known better than to expect you to.”

Told in heroine view alternating past to present

The scene in the rain blew my heart out of my chest. It was so painful and sad. I felt so disappointed with Ethan. My chest was crying for Cassie to wake up and be done with him. But I also felt what she's seen in him, hope. But that little hope comes with misery that can’t be avoided any longer.

In great twist of fate, the hurt inflicted by the hero to the heroine in the past, was the same intensity inflicted by heroine to the hero in the present. Ths role reversal with exactly the same issues they had before happened again. It was brilliant, believable and so damn real. The emotions are all over the place.

The story started out with ths hero having deeply rooted abandonment, commitment and emotional issues. The issues so deep that I can’t even begin to think how the will heroine survive it. True enough she hadn't and then the vitriol inflicted on her affected her so much so that she also suffered the same issues eventually.

I can’t help but hate the hero for doing that to her. I loved Cassie. I loved her character, she's resilient and always giving and giving without expecting anything in return. Her only fault is that she allowed Ethan to take her for granted. She allowed him to step on her and crush her heart. Ethan is selfish and coward and the ultimate douchebag. Though just as I started hating on him, he does something so romantic that I just melt. And so I felt really frustrated with the back and forth of Ethan and Cassie. The sexual tension was so up the charts!

I just recently found out that there will be a sequel to this story titled Broken Juliet. I'm assuming that it will be the continuation as the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger. It seems like it ended in a good way but I still wanted more! I seriously can’t wait for it. 

Book Review: The Unidentified Redhead, The Redhead Revealed and The Redhead Plays Her Hand by Alice Clayton

Title: The Unidentified Redhead, The Redhead Revealed and The Redhead Plays Her Hand
Series: Yes
Author: Alice Clayton 
POV: Heroine 
Cliffhanger: Nope. Though I guess it can be read separately because a summary or a background on the previous book is provided on books 2 and 3. But for me personally I prefer to read it in a consecutive manner. 
On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 4
Angst: 4
Plot: 4
Thought Provoking: 3
Hangover: 4
Overall Rating:  4 stars

This rating is for the three Redhead books.

I've had this series for quite sometime now but haven't gotten around to reading it sooner. The story is a breath of fresh air from the other more angsty books. The plot is somehow similar to other books (hero is a celebrity) but I haven't read something where the heroine is also a celebrity and that she is older. I liked it because I can relate to it, my husband is 4 years younger.

In book 1 we get to experience how Jack and Grace met and how their love story started. In this book Jack is still awaiting the release of his movie that would ultimately place him as a sought after celebrity, while Grace is still trying to find out her place in the industry. We also get to meet Holly, the ultimate best friend who I'm sure you will all love.

In book 2 we get to see the start of Grace's career, the break that she has been waiting for all her life. We see the start of Jack's celebrity status. Think Robert Pattinson at the start of the Twilight franchise. We also read about how Jack and Grace make their relationship survive. They try to make it work despite the usual MO of relationship status denials. But I wanted to slap Grace in this sequel for letting her insecurites take over.

Come book 3, the lovable Jack pissed me off! Fame got into his head! Grace redeemed herself here because of how she showed her love for Jack. I loved her for not being the nagging girlfriend. I got incensed at her for tolerating Jack's tantrums but I eventually understood her style and I liked it. I definitely learned something from her!

This series is highly recommended to those who love reading about celebrity love stories.

Book Review: Nine Minutes by Beth Flynn

Title: Nine Minutes 
Series: Yes. I believe the next book is Grunt's story 
Author: Beth Flynn
POV: Heroine 
Cliffhanger: Nope
On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 3 scenes are fade to black and not detailed 
Angst: 5
Plot: 5
Thought Provoking: 5
Hangover: 5
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

Oh wow! This is my first biker book and I loved it! 
I can help but think about Charlie Hunnam in Son's of Anarchy as Grizz.

This is a forbidden love story between the kidnap victim and the head of the biker gang who is much much older. Be warned though, not only does the plot talk about something forbidden, but it also deals with lots of crime and murder. There were also parts that made me cringe.

More than that though, despite their unconventional situation and how wrong it is on so many levels, I felt Grizz's love for Kit.

I will have to stop now because I might inadvertently disclose something that could ruin the story for others. 

My suggestion is to go in blind and discover the mystery and secrets of the story by yourself because it is really worth it. My heart was in constant alert for what could happen next. From the Prologue to the Epilogue I couldn't stop reading. From the very start I was hooked. And the ending got me reeling.

I cannot wait to read the next book about Grunt. I'm quite not sure if I love him or not just yet.

This book is highly recommended to fans of dark romance that doesn't deal with BDSM for a change.

Now because of this book I might give another famous series about bikers a try.

Book Review: Shutter Volume 1 and 2 by Sarah Dosher

Title: Shutter Volume 1 and 2
Series: Yes
Author: Eli Chastain / Sarah Dosher
POV: Heroine
Cliffhanger: Yes
On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 4
Angst: 4
Plot: 3
Thought Provoking: 3
Hangover: 4
Overall Rating: 3.5 stars

This rating is for the first two books.

I got curious with the blurb of this series. I finished  the first two books quickly. I believe book 3 will hopefully be out this coming December.

Both books are just short. Just 10 chapters maximum. The story is about obsession. Obsession turned into stalking. Then the tables are turned and the stalker suddenly becomes the victim. What a twist.

I cannot wait for the next book to see what happens with Brook and Nico. The story story is a light reading with a moderate subject matter and a tinge of angst.

This is my first book from this author and I must say I was intrigued by her writing. I will probably read more from this author.

Book Review: On the Record and For the Record by K.A. Linde

Title: On the Record (book 2) and For the Record (book 3)
Series: Yes 
Author: K.A. Linde 
POV: heroine and little bit of the hero 
Cliffhanger:  Yes 
On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 5
Angst: 4
Plot: 4
Thought Provoking: 4
Hangover: 5
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars

This rating is for books 2 and 3.

I didn’t think I would love this series but I did! Both books immediately picks up right after the previous sequel.

Book 2 was the culmination of all the angst and pain for both the hero and heroine. It was so frustrating to feel their love for each other but then they chose not to be together. Both of them didn’t make the effort enough for each other. I felt sad for Liz because she made some effort to see Brady that was futile and was only left broken than before. Though book 2 ended on a great note and all the heart ache proved to be worth it.

Book 3 started happy for both of them and it continued throughout. They've proven the strength of their love for each other and they've conquered their struggles together.

I think we'll be reading more from this series, not on Liz and Brady, perhaps on Savannah or Clay.

This is the first series I've read that focuses on a political topic and I really loved it.

Once you read on book 1 you will definitely get hooked. The story will haunt you until you finish with book 3.

This is recommended to those who love to read about political love stories. Think Scandal but on a lighter note.