The Luckiest Girl Alive

Title: Luckiest Girl Alive
Series: No 
Author: Jessica Knoll
POV: Heroine 
Cliffhanger: No 
On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 1
Angst: 3
Plot: 4
Thought Provoking: 4
Hangover: 3
Overall Rating:  3 stars


Category: murder, mystery, high school life, abuse


I really this would have the same premise as that of the book Gone Girl. But it was completely different. Which is a good thing because then it wouldn't have to be known as the book that copied it. Their similarity ends with the mystery aspect of the story. I was expecting more mind boggling twists though. And a more badass heroine. Although the book has a heavy plot, I was wishing for more impact to the twists of the book. It left me wanting for more. The ending also left a bittersweet taste that I wanted more for the heroine. That something wasn't enough.


This book is still worth reading if you want something different. Just a tip, try to get past the first 20% mark and the story will slowly unravel. I almost gave up on the book about that time because it focused on the shallowness of the heroine. There were also instances where the story suddenly inserts another scene from the heroine's memory that leave me feeling confused. There were also times where I skimmed through some scenes because I felt it to be dragging and the writing was a little confusing to understand. Still I finished it and somehow the story ended up just fine.

No Turning Back

Title: No Turning Back 
Series: Yes 
Author: Tiffany Snow
POV: Heroine 
Cliffhanger: No
On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 4
Angst: 4
Plot: 4
Thought Provoking: 4
Hangover: 3
Overall Rating: 3.8 stars


I've read many recommendations on this series. This is a mystery crime novel with romance aspect.


The heroine is a naive twenty something with a penchant for being impulsive and gullible.


But we have two heroes. A love triangle with an alpha ex-military man and a mysterious bad boy ex-FBI. Both are equally hot in their own way, one is the executive type while the other is the rogue type. Both gorgeous and hot. My head will spun on who to choose between the two hot guys.


The story is fast paced and is exciting every step. There were some dull and too descriptive parts but it's still interesting. I will try to read the next sequels to this story in between other books so I don't get bored.

Never Never Part Two

Title: Never Never Part Two 
Series: Yes 
Author: Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher 
POV: Hero and Heroine 
Cliffhanger: Yes 
On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 3
Angst: 4
Plot: 5
Thought Provoking: 5
Hangover: 5
Overall Rating: 4.4 stars


Another mysterious and mind boggling sequel to this very interesting series. I can't say that I'm loving the cliffhanger but I love the characters and I really want to find out what's been happening to them. We are one step closer to finding out with the clues that I just read. I have a hunch but I guess I'll find out if it's right once we get book 3. The wait is killing me! I want book 3 now!


What's exciting in this sequel is that we get to experience and feel the strength of Silas' love for Charlie.


This book is highly recommended if you're into mystery and suspense with romance. I love this series. Nothing but the best from this two brilliant author's.

Big Little Lies

Title: Big Little Lies
Series: No
Author: Liane Moriarty
POV: Heroines
Cliffhanger: No
On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 3
Angst: 4
Plot: 5
Thought Provoking: 4
Hangover: 4
Overall Rating: 4 stars


This book is recommended to those who love reading murder mystery and suspense type of books.


I just had to read this book because I think there is a movie or a tv series about this story that is going to be played by Nicole Kidman and Reese Withersooon. I wanted to get a head start.


But more than that it's because I also love the books of this author. Her stories are not the usual type of genre that I read, but I still pretty much enjoy them. It also helps that I liked reading stories of marriage, the issues and the scandals.


This is highly recommended. Once you read one of this author's books you will never stop. The stories will suck you right into it and you will definitely want more.

What Alice Forgot

Title: What Alice Forgot
Series: No
Author: Liane Moriarty
POV: Heroine and a bit of the Hero
Cliffhanger: No
On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 3
Angst: 4
Plot: 5
Thought Provoking: 4
Hangover: 4
Overall Rating: 4 stars


This author is one of my favorite authors of mysterious and suspenseful books. This is another story about marriage, the issues and the scandals, but with a rather different twist. See the heroine forgot a big chunk of her life and she made it a point to struggle to get it back on track.


I was also able to connect with her sister because I am also struggling with her issues in my life. It was pretty emotional to read especially when I am reading her point of views.


Let's not forget the romance aspect as well because the author was able to make me fall out of love and fall in love with the hero as well.


It's always refreshing to read about married couples working out their issues and how they deal with the fall out. Sometimes they make it and sometimes they don't but it's still pretty nice to read because somehow you will learn from them.


Anyway this book is higly recommended especially those suckers for stories about marriage.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Title: Sharp Objects 
Series: No 
Author: Gillian Flynn
POV: Heroine 
Cliffhanger: No
On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 2
Angst: 4
Plot: 4
Thought Provoking: 4
Hangover: 3
Overall Rating: 3.4 stars

What a pretty disturbing story. It's dark and gritty and some scenes are pretty much cringe worthy.

This is a story of a murder investigation in a small town of Wind Gap.

This is different from the usual genres that I read because this is not romance. I've recently been trying to add mystery, crime, investigation and murder plots to my to read list. But mostly because I loved this author and I really enjoyed Gone Girl so I'm definitely reading her other works.

Though there is a hint of a love story here but mostly it's crime investigation. The writing will definitely grab your interest so I couldn't really put it down.

This is highly recommended to those who's interested in this of genre.

You by Caroline Kepnes

Title: You
Series: Yes there's book 2!!!
Author: Caroline Kepnes 
POV: Hero 
Cliffhanger: Nope


On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Sexiness: 4
Angst: 5 
Plot: 5
Thought Provoking: 5
Hangover: 4
Overall Rating: 4.6 stars


What a disturbing and terrifying story! So disturbing yet so interesting to read!


I think this is only the second time that I've read something from the point of view of someone who needs help. The whole time I was reading the book I wanted to hug the hero, Joe, because he really needs help. And whats quite awful is that there's nobody there to push him to seek help. Joe is a very likable character, intelligent and sweet, yet damaged and disturbed.


While the heroine is one of the characters that I wanted to punch the whole time. I hated her from the get go. She's so self centered and shallow. She really doesn't deserve Joe.


From the beginning though I had a bit of a hard time understanding the writing because it was written in a way that the hero is speaking to the heroine in the first person manner. Eventually I got the hang of it because I felt that it was brilliant in getting the feelings of the hero across the readers. I felt his frustrations and his adrenaline. I also have to mention that though the sex scenes were not detailed, it was still arousing because the readers can feel the passion of the hero.


I think I have to stop now because I think it's best to start the book blind. Don't read spoilers to feel the impact of the twists.


This book is recommended to those who want to read stories about obsession. 

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.

Now You See Her - James Patterson

Perfect mystery and crime novel. I read it in one seating. I felt fear and anxiety for Jeanine. It was the perfect book to get out of my romance novel book funk. I loved it. It has the right amount of darkness and mystery for my liking. I loved that the chapters are short and that it was written a bit fast paced.

What initially compelled me to read this book is the beautiful cover. But soon I was captivated with Jeanine's story.

On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:

Did this book made me think? 4
Did this book evoke strong emotions in me? 4
Did I experience book hangover? 4
Do I want more of the story? 4
Love, like or just okay? 4
Overall Rating: 4 stars

Dirty Angels by Karina Halle

"I want to destroy beautiful things before they can destroy me.”

I am not really sure how I feel about this book. Yes I love Javier Bernal. He is the guilty pleasure, the secret book boyfriend, the hottest bad boy of the Artist Trilogy. He is ruthless, cunning and fearless. I didn’t think he could get any darker.

Well, there were moments when he did and there were also moments when he didn’t. And because of that I had a somehow lukewarm acceptance of Luisa. Maybe I'm just jealous, but I didn’t wish him to become too winded by her. And I didn’t think Javier had it in him to go through the lengths of what he did for her. It was bittersweet for me.

The love scenes are hot though. But I couldn't feel the connection. Javier and Ellie's was more intense, especially if you've read On Every Street.

I have a bad feeling with Esteban. I think his traitor side will come out in the next book about Alana and Derek.

This book is recommended to those who are into action romance books. Not for the faint hearted though, some scenes are quite dark.

On a scale of 1 to 5 (highest) stars:
Did this book made me think? 4
Did this book evoke strong emotions in me? 4
Did I experience book hangover? 3
Do I want more of the story? 3
Love, like or just okay? 4 like it!
Overall Rating: 4 stars

Mud Vein - Tarryn Fisher

“I heard everything you didn’t say. I heard it so loudly that I couldn’t shut it off. Your silence, Senna, I hear it so loudly.”

Mud Vein is no doubt a Tarryn Fisher book. It is a typical Fisher book with a troubled heroine that readers can either love or hate at the same time. If you enjoyed Love Me with Lies and you felt hatred for the heroine at first then towards the end you will learn to love her, this book is highly recommended. Sometimes I don’t understand her, and then sometimes I do. Senna reminded me of Olivia in so many ways. But don’t think for one minute that the stories are similar because it’s not. Mud Vein is totally different. 

The story will poke at your interest and it will not let you go until you finish it. I read it in a day because I couldn’t put it down. One thing is similar though, it is brilliantly written and this is one of my best books for 2014. I am also desperately in love with Isaac. You will love him from start to finish. And at the end of the book you will love both him and Senna and you will be desperately seeking more of their story. Please Tarryn Fisher I want more from the story. Don’t end it here and perhaps give us an extended epilogue. Please! 

This book is highly recommended to those who love mystery and with a touch of romance. I loved that the story didn’t focus on the romance which makes it so different and yet you will still feel the love in it. It took me a long time to write this review because I was still experiencing hangover. I am slowly getting over the funk, but I will not forget Senna and Isaac. Much like how Olive and Caleb affected me. I just cannot tell you enough how I love Tarryn’s books and her characters. Note to readers, do not read spoilers, go in blind and you will definitely enjoy this ride. 

Book Review: With You and Torn From You - Nashoda Rose

With You (Tear Asunder, #0.5)

Torn from You (Tear Asunder, #1)

 

“Trust is built. Ours just needs to be rebuilt and it takes time. But baby, we’ll do it together.”

 

I decided to first read the prequel to the series, With You. Since it was a prequel to book 1, it was short and fast paced. It tells us of how Logan/Sculpt and Emily first met.

 

In this book their connection they built wasn't as strong yet. I wasn't feeling the connection at first. But what was clear was that Logan is an alpha male and I liked him from the start.  While Emily is a bit frustrating already, with all the repetitive Lego building and self-doubts.

 

The final scene in the prequel is a major cliffhanger. Good thing the next book is also out.

 

Meanwhile, book 1, Torn from You, started with a prologue taken from With You, on Logan/Sculpt and Emily's first time.

 

This book was slow paced and tells us the details of their ordeal. Logan and Emily are frustrating with all the secret b*llsh*ts.But I felt the thrill and frustration of their attraction, longing and disappointments. At about 70% we get snippets of the confusing and mysterious Logan in his view. It was refreshing with all the whining and indecision of Emily. I couldn't help but fall more in love with Logan for not giving up on them.

 

The book has the right amount of action, violence, mystery, romance and sex with light BDSM. This book is highly recommended to those who loved The Artists Trilogy series.

 

It is also important to note that I also loved the other supporting characters, Matt, Kat, Deck, Georgie, Crisis, Ream and Kite. I'd also like to know more about Kai and Raven.

 

I can't wait to read about Ream and Kat in Overwhelmed by You (Tear Asunder #2). I bet it is going to be so angst-y as I already felt it in this book.

The Silent Wife - A.S.A. Harrison

“Life has a way of taking its toll on the person you thought you were.” 

I was quite surprised that I really loved this book. There were mixed reviews on this book so I didn't think that I would love it. But I got drawn to the book, its interesting, captivating and disturbing. The title and blurb got to me. Told in alternating third person POV. This book is about a somehow marriage that suddenly crumbled, a bored and depressed husband and a broken wife.

Jodi is a typical stepford wife with daily routines always sticks to a schedule. But her cool and collected demeanor has cracks inside that even her so called husband of 20 years didn't know. The title is really apt for her. She is the perfect silent wife, always unperturbed and in control.

Todd is a selfish bastard and I hated him. I hated every core of him. He doesn't have a heart. After 20 years together, he has the audacity to do that to her. How can he do that to someone he supposedly loves. I wanted to slap him. I cried for Jodi, I felt her pain, her bottled up emotions, its heart wrenching. Both have faults on why things happened but I really felt sympathetic to Jodi.

This book is brilliant. Recommended for those who loved Gone Girl. The story was heavy and that some of the things happens in real life. There were scenes were i read fast because it was too detailed and long inner thoughts. But still the author did a good job in immersing the readers into two different worlds of Todd and Jodi. The author also used deep words and deep sentences which may be hard to understand at first.

Asylum Series by Lauren Hammond - Insanity, White Walls and Beautiful Nightmares

Insanity (Asylum #1)

“I just want you to know that you are my sun, my moon, and my stars. My heaven, my hell, and my earth. I’d do anything for you. I’d go anywhere for you. If you ever left me, I’d follow you.”

White Walls (Asylum #2)

“Beauty is only skin deep but evil cuts straight through the soul.”

Beautiful Nightmares (Asylum #3)

“I've been cut down, destroyed, and demolished. Someone once told me that the human mind is like a temple. A sound structure. Compiled by bricks, cement, and straw."

What a book. What a story.

I read three books in the Asylum series in a day. Aside from the fact that the story is a total mind-f*ck, it also brings out a whole lot of emotions. You get to feel the sadness, disappointment, numbness, the rage and love from both the story and the characters. You also get to be inside the mind of somebody who's delusional and on the brink of crazy and insanity. The story is so dark and heavy that if I were in Adelaide's shoes, I wouldn't survive as long as her.

I've decided to review the three books all at once since I read it continuously for just a day. And I will refrain from giving out the plot or story for fear of ruining it for others. The mystery, the twists and turns in the story is crucial. If you haven't read this book yet, do not read the spoilers to enjoy the benefits of the mind-f*ckery that is this book. All the books were told in Adelaide's view, alternating past and present events and there is no chronological order to it. The chapters flow in and out, confusing us where one begins and when one ends. I believe book 2 is like the prequel to book 1 and book 3 happened right after book 1.

I also learned that the author is cooking up another series. With this new series in Aurora's view I think more questions that we have guesses to will be confirmed. Some of the questions I have where not answered solidly but was told in a fade to black way which leaves us all guessing and having our own assumptions. It was nice though and it added to the mystery of the story and I'm glad that it's not a case of a nasty cliffhanger.

This book is highly recommended as the story it is unique and totally brilliant. If you want mystery, angst, sadness and a bit of eroticism that's not detailed, this book is for you. It will mess with your head, it will pinch you heart and it will give you the thrill. But given all these I'm still left wanting to know more. This book is totally worth reading, I admit I was captivated by the series initially because of the pretty covers, but this book is pretty inside and out and it cuts through your heart. I love it. I can't wait to read Aurora's story.

Guilty Wives - James Patterson and David Ellis

This is the first book I’ve read from James Patterson. After just recently reading mystery and crime genre for a change I was hooked. For fear of giving away spoilers I will only say that this story is about four friends who were accused of murder.

I particularly enjoyed the vacation scenes since it reminded me of Sex and the City. I liked how the story was written because it made me think and I had to write down the clues and details as there were lots of diversion. I didn’t even notice the length of the book since it was fast paced and it was so interesting. I also liked how the chapters were short.

The narration was also exciting as we get to read various views from the heroine, to the prosecutors, the guards, the husbands etc. There were moments when I wanted to shake the heroine Abby because of her stubbornness but I understood her reasons.

The ending was not really a complete shock since there were clues along the way but still it will make you think twice on the next scenes. I liked it! This book is recommended to those who love crime, legal and mystery stories and I can honestly say that this will not be my last James Patterson novel.

Dangerous Girls - Abigail Haas

“Wouldn't we all look guilty, if someone searched hard enough?”

To get me off my book funk I started to read something new, something not usually part of the genre I normally read. This is my first murder, crime, trial type of book and I loved it! It is a total mind f-ck! Just when I thought I knew what’s going to happen next, something big is revealed!

I liked the writing style it was like I was reading a movie. It was narrated in such a way that the situations run back and forth from past to present.

I liked the tone and tempo and pacing. It was not too long and yet I've read all the angles. I also liked how the chapters are short.

And little by little when the secrets begin to unfold I was floored! I really didn't expect any of it. It was a whirlwind of emotions; I felt Anna's pain, anger and disappointment and the betrayal!

I read it in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. The book is told in Anna's view and through her we get to understand the profile of a suspect and lots more. 

There were so many questions, so many secrets and so many betrayals. And the ending was not what I expect! It was brilliant!

I was so glad I read this, now I have a new genre to watch out for! For fear of giving away the story i will now stop gushing about this book. Read it and you will not regret it. =)