Bully - Penelope Douglas

“Letting yourself be vulnerable isn't always a weakness. Sometimes it can be a conscious decision to draw the other person out.” 

This is a heart warming story about trust and friendships. This book is brilliantly written and is successful in making the readers feel the betrayal and the hatred pouring out of the characters. From the beginning to the end i felt this stomach pinching pain for Tate. Every prank and every painful words uttered to her i felt it. But i also felt Tate's attraction to Jared. Their connection was evident. I couldn't find it in me to hate Jared. I knew he felt something for Tate from the start. There's a thin line between love and hate as the saying goes. 

This book is about friends who later on becomes lovers and recommended to those who loved Sweet Gum Tree. I loved it. The story was not that heavy and perfectly read after finishing a book with too much angst. Plus sex scenes were totally hot! It's a breath of fresh air and it's not tiring.

This is the first book in the Fall Away series. I can't wait to read more of Jared and Tate.

If Forever Comes - A.L. Jackson

“I love you, Christian. Always. There is nothing that could make me stop loving you. Nothing that could make me stop needing you. You are my start and you are my finish, the once who’s going to be there for everything in between.” 

This is the third book in A.L. Jackson's Take This Regret series. The book follows the story of Christian and Elizabeth. Told in Christian and Elizabeth's POV, alternating present and past events. The events in this book followed almost a year after Take This Regret. When I read TTR, I though wow there were so much angst and I thought it couldn't get any worse. Well I am dumbfounded. This book made me feel all kinds of pain and angst. From the first chapter I already felt the pain. The author is brilliant in making stories that will make readers cry, the ugly type of cry. And her books deal with real life issues, mature topics that will tear you apart. Its about pain, grief, resentments, bitterness, lack of communication. The 100% recipe for disaster and broken relationships.

In this book, Elizabeth became depressed, she's grieving. I felt her pain. I felt her anger. Her disappointment. Because of her pain, her inability to move forward she'd become selfish. She hurt Christian.  Her grief clouded all the other emotions in her. What's left is grief and numbness. I was really disappointed in her but at the same time my heart broke for her. I also felt Christian's heart breaking. He may have pushed her too hard too soon, but it was really palpable how much he loves her. I also wanted to punch Logan for him.

Their issues reminded me of another book that I love - Arsen. Almost similar traumatic issue. Anyone who suffered this kind of situation would not come out unscathed.  Even me, only a reader to the story almost wasn't able to take the grief and pain, what more if it happened to you in real life. Can you imagine watching your life fall apart on the same day when it should have been the start of everything. 

There were moments when I had to take a breather from reading this book. Like I wanted to chicken out and not finish it. But it would really be unfair because the book is brilliant. I really really loved it. When I reached the almost happiest but happened to be the saddest part of the book I couldn't hold it any longer and I cried and cried and cried for Christian and Elizabeth. I felt the strongest heart wrenching pain I have ever felt when reading a book. This book took the number one spot. This is highly recommended. I love A.L. Jackson. Hoping to read more of her books.

Take This Regret - A.L. Jackson

“Never would I take what I’d been given for granted. I’d never look at her through indifferent eyes, listen to her fears and worries with distant ears, or touch her with impassive hands. Elizabeth was a gift and Lizzie was my treasure. I would adore my family until the day I died.” 

This is the second book in the Take This Regret series of A.L. Jackson.

This book made me cry!!! I felt all the emotions that Christian, Elizabeth and Lizzie felt! My heart broke for Lizzie the fist time he met her daddy. 

My heart broke for Christian when he was thrown out and disallowed from seeing Lizzie. 

My heart broke for Elizabeth every time she runs away. I felt so tired for her. I felt her shift from being the kind/nice/accomodating girl to the angry and cynical woman. 

I fell in love with Christian when he went from selfish to loving father. All the tears and gut wrenching were all worth it! 

I love this book! All emotions from anger to forgiveness were portrayed well! I think i need a lighter book after just to get my bearings straight. This is definitely highly recommended. Well written, captivating, heart breaking and a whole lot of roller coaster of emotions that the reader's feel to the fullest! 

Lost To You - A.L. Jackson

"Being around him had become a risk I was willing to take." 

This is the prequel to the Take This Regret book of A.L. Jackson.Although this came out later than book 1, I have decided to go with my gut feel and read this first before moving on to the actual novel. 

This is a short but heart wrenching story about young love. I truly felt how much Elizabeth loved christian. She made greater sacrifices than him. Utterly selfless, doing things for him even if subjected to humiliation. While christian is lovable, i couldn't give my heart to him because I can feel his selfishness. Always thinking of himself first. Elizabeth loved him more than he loves her that much is true. I am really questioning his conviction whether he will be able to stand up for her in the long run. Christian is kind but more selfish and his tendency towards greed might be far greater than the love he felt for her. I can't wait to move on to the next in this series. And i can honestly say that this book is the start of my reading relationship with the author. I love it!

Reading Order - Take This Regret Series - A.L. Jackson

Lost to You (Take This Regret, #0.5) 

Take This Regret (Take This Regret, #1) 

If Forever Comes (Take This Regret, #2) 

Reading Order - The Artists Trilogy - Karina Halle

On Every Street (The Artists Trilogy, #0.5)

Sins & Needles (The Artists Trilogy, #1)

Shooting Scars (The Artists Trilogy, #2)

Bold Tricks (The Artists Trilogy, #3) - COMING SOON OCT 2013

This is another favorite series of mine. In my case I read On Every Street first followed by Sins & Needles, that's why i fell in love with Javier's character first. For others it's the other way around, whichever comes first is fine. 

Are you team Javier or Camden? Can't wait for Bold Tricks!

Reading Order - Inside Out Series - Lisa Renee Jones

If I Were You (Inside Out, #1) 

Rebecca’s Lost Journals, Volume 1: The Seduction (Inside Out, #1.1) 

Rebecca’s Lost Journals, Volume 2: The Contract (Inside Out, #1.2) 

Rebecca’s Lost Journals, Volume 3: His Submissive (Inside Out, #1.3)

Rebecca’s Lost Journals, Volume 4: My Master (Inside Out, #1.4) 

Being Me (Inside Out, #2) 

The Master Undone (Inside Out, #2.5) 

Revealing Us (Inside Out, #3)

So apparently it's not a trilogy as two more books will be released. Book 4 will be in Sara's POV and Book 5 will be Mark's according to the author posted in Goodreads. I can't wait!!!