Waiting On Wednesday (106) Something Real by Heather Demetrios @HDemetrios

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week because I get to share books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Hardcover, 416 pages
Expected publication: February 4th 2014 by Henry Holt BYR

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Bonnie™ Baker has grown up on TV—she and her twelve siblings are the stars of one-time hit reality show Baker’s Dozen. Since the show's cancellation, Bonnie™ has tried to live a normal life, under the radar and out of the spotlight. But it's about to fall apart . . . because Baker’s Dozen is going back on the air. Bonnie™'s mom and the show's producers won't let her quit and soon the life that she has so carefully built for herself, with real friends (and maybe even a real boyfriend), is in danger of being destroyed by the show. Bonnie™ needs to do something drastic if her life is ever going to be her own—even if it means being more exposed than ever before.

I don't watch reality tv, but this sounds like it will be quite good! I have an arc that I plan on reading soon, and I hope I enjoy it.

What are you waiting on this week?

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Entangled Publishing Introduces Flaunt Novellas and a Giveaway!


Entangled Publishing is proud to launch Flaunt, an Entangled Publishing imprint. Flaunts are palate-teasing novellas designed to satisfy readers’ cravings for romance without the time commitment required to invest in a full-length novel. This line focuses on SUPER SEXY contemporary and historical romances – from classic styles to category romance to off-beat stories with a unique twist – they all have one thing in common: a happy ending and the promise of love.

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

TRY ME
What happens in Vegas...can lead to romance. It took one wild night for Sergeant Jeremy Addison to realize that Vegas? Was a bad idea. Bloody. Bruised. Dehydrated. Abandoned in the desert, and left to stagger down the road. The only way this leave could get worse was if his savior was his ex-best friend's sister...and the girl he'd loved since childhood.
The last person Erica expected to find on the roadside was her high school crush. She hadn't seen Jeremy in seven years—ever since the night he said he loved her, and she ran away. Losing him then had been a mistake, but wanting him now could be catastrophic if he discovered the secret that chased every other man from her life. But with a tall, tattooed Marine determined to prove he's always been faithful, can Erica resist his advances...or will she surrender ground and give love a try?

LOVE ME
Thomas Jones has come to Vegas to win yet another account for his marketing company. But when he sits across from beautiful and sensual Brianna Falk to deliver his pitch, his desire to leave Vegas as quickly as possible is replaced by the need to get closer to her. Yet she resists his charm. Brianna knows a date with Thomas could jeopardize her job, but he’s so maddening and insistent, she has a hard time denying him just one date. But that’s all it can be: one date. Because she has to protect her job and her secrets, even if it means giving up a chance at a life she never thought she’d have again.

PLAY ME
Even the best-laid plans can go awry. Single-mom Kiersten Worth knows a bottle of champagne and night of hot, no-strings-attached sex is the perfect solution to her jilted bride blues…and Garrett Kelly, long-time friend and her teenaged son’s sexy basketball coach, is just the stud for the job. Garrett wants more from the elusive temptress than a casual affair, but he never expects it to come in the form of an unexpected pregnancy. When he proposes an unorthodox solution—move in and raise their baby together—Kiersten has to decide whether to let down her guard and open her heart to the man who secretly loved her for years, or risk losing his tender embrace for good.

TAKE ME
Married in the morning…Professional heartbreaker Mike Worth thrived on the chase—and dancer Morgan Collins represented the ultimate prize. But there was no way he was going to throw away his single-man status…not even for an elusive redhead with sparkling eyes and mile-long legs. So how did he let one drunken Vegas night end with I do instead of hell no?
Morgan’s life revolved around her career and she had no intention of letting a man interfere—even if Mike made her question all her rules about love. At his urging, she reluctantly agreed to give their spur-of–moment marriage a chance. But once their trial-honeymoon ended, would she choose to follow the dance and leave her unforgettable husband behind?



Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Human sexuality professor Cricket Malloy typically likes bad boys, but when buttoned-up science teacher Tucker Lamb needs help with an experiment on aphrodisiacs, she goes the extra mile to help him out. After all, what could go wrong? He’s totally harmless…
Tucker Lamb was born into a life of a grifter. He used to pride himself on his fast fingers and quicksilver tongue, but ever since being placed in the witness protection program, he’s been on the up and up. Still, something about Cricket Malloy makes him ache to see if his tongue is as fast as it used to be.




Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Sports medicine doctor and weekend cowboy, Chase Cooper, is ready to settle down, and he’s beginning to wonder if his best friend from high school, Mari Blair, could be the one that got away. Coop and his buddies have come up with a plan, but he never imagined it would be Mari’s sister, Julia—the girl who was always off-limits—, who would take him up on his invitation.
When lawyer, Julia Blair, finds herself on a dude ranch half way across the country, only to discover the invitation was meant for her vivacious twin sister, she knows she has two choices—go home alone or walk a day in her sister’s shoes. When she sets eyes on sexy cowboy Chase Cooper, the choice becomes easy. She's determined to stay and have some carefree fun while at the ranch.
Coop can’t believe the mix up, but when he discovers Julia wants to play, then play they will. When things get steamy and playtime becomes so much more, he’s determined to prove she’s the girl for him. And he’s not above using a few tricks of the trade to get his point across…



Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
Finance genius Meredith Klaus prefers numbers to people, especially around the holidays. At least the large sum of money that’s mysteriously vanished from the company accounts will distract her from the ghosts of Christmases past. Until her sexy boss asks her to be his last-minute date to a fundraiser gala, that is, and the promise of a special evening calls to something long-buried in her.
Andrew Stanton, Manhattan’s best-known philanthropist, has worked hard building his reputation in the industry. He offers to work closely with Meredith to fix his company’s financial crisis, but the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to look at her as just a colleague.
A beautiful dress. A handsome man on her arm. A challenge she can’t refuse. Can they find the missing money and fulfill their holiday wishes, or will Meredith be unable to overcome the demons of her past and lose her chance at happiness?



Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
SHE'LL MAKE HIM A BET…
Lily McIntire is tired of losing every office wager to her overly cocky—and yeah, devilishly handsome—coworker, Marcus Black. After a few too many tequila shots, and a taunt from Marcus that she's a wuss, Lily lays down a bet he can't refuse: One night in the abandoned and spooky Willow Mansion alone for his recent office win, a trip to Hawaii.
HE CAN'T REFUSE…
There's only one thing Marcus wants more than his upcoming vacation to Hawaii, it's to take his sexy coworker on a real date. Every time he's tried to get close to her, she's shut him down cold. Too bad the sexual tension just keeps climbing the charts. Now, he'll have to scare her out of the mansion if he has any chance of going out on a real date with her any time soon.
UNTIL ALL BETS ARE OFF…
But in between trying to scare Lily out of her pants and get his hands into them, Marcus realizes there’s more to Willow Mansion than either of them counted on. Suddenly, it’s not just he and Lily that are going "bump in the night". If they manage to survive the night and escape the mansion unscathed, can they survive each other in the light of day? Or will what happens at Willow Mansion stay at Willow Mansion?



Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
When a fellow RN jokingly predicts that Beth Roberts will meet a tall, ripped and totally lick-o-licious stranger who will fulfill her deepest desires, it’s supposed to be from across a crowded room, not giving CPR to a wedding guest. Given her tragic love life, Beth has no desire to become involved again, but who could have predicted the ponytailed doctor with the mischievous smile would break through her defenses?

Dr. Gabriel North blamed himself for his wife’s death. Now, after two years of battling guilt and meaningless hookups, he’s ready to move on. When he sees the sexy brunette at his friend’s wedding, his attraction is swift and strong, and he wastes no time in pressing his advantage. One night with the woman who makes him feel alive again isn’t enough, but gaining her trust as a man was going to take more than medical school had prepared him for.

Giveaway:
Grand Prize: Kindle Fire
Second Place: $50 Victoria Secret Gift Card
Third Place: $25 Amazon/B&N Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Sunday Updates (38)


Inspired by features from The Sunday Post from Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Sunday Summary from Book Twirps.

I haven't done one of these posts in a long while, so I thought I would share the books that I have received in the past month or so. I've been cutting back on my requests from NetGalley and Edelweiss, so I don't have many to show this time around.

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Hushed by Kelley York (Thanks to Entangled Publishing)
Ink is Thicker Than Water by Amy Spalding (Thanks to Entangled Teen)
Vengeance (Fracture #2) by Megan Miranda (Thanks to Bloomsbury USA Children's Books)
The Treatment (The Program #2) by Suzanne Young (Thanks to Simon Pulse)

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Take a Chance: Series Bundle (Take a Chance #1-4) by Diane Alberts (Thanks to Entangled Publishing)



The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle (Huge thank you to Simon Pulse!!)

November has really flown by! I kind of slowed down on my reading the first 2 weeks of November, but I'm getting back in the groove. Now if I could just catch up on my reviews....
I really want to read Hushed by Kelley York because I read Made of Stars and I LOVED IT! The Program was awesome, and I can't wait to read The Treatment.

What books did you receive recently?
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Review: Snowed Over by Angie Stanton

Snowed OverSnowed Over by Angie Stanton

Publication Date: October 12, 2013
Page Count: 126
Published by: Vanguard Management, Inc.
Source: copy received from InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review
Purchase on Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

To college student, Katie Brandt, ‘Home for the Holidays’ sounds like hell. When her parents separated, their holiday traditions shattered like a dropped ornament. What could be worse than celebrating Christmas with her suddenly single mom and mom’s new boyfriend?

Alex Walker, an engaged 20-year-old, dreads going home for his own reasons. He has a daunting task ahead of him and wishes he could skip the holidays altogether. So when a friend of a friend needs a ride north, Alex finds that having beautiful Katie seated by his side proves to be just the distraction he needs.

A simple ride home for Christmas turns into a nightmare when light snow rages into a full-scale blizzard. Katie and Alex find themselves stranded, and a vacant cabin becomes a haven from the storm.
Under different circumstances, time alone with Alex would be the ultimate Christmas gift, but Katie knows Alex is engaged and she must hide her growing attraction.

However, Alex harbors a secret that just might change this holiday from the worst Christmas ever, to the best.

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I love reading books that put me in the mood for Christmas, and Snowed Over managed to do just that. This is the perfect book to give you warm and fuzzy feelings for the holidays. It was a quick and easy read with a really cute romance.

Since it's a novella, you don't get to know the characters very well, but I did really like both Katie and Alex. I enjoyed how comfortable they were around each other. I thought a real connection was made between them, and there was a hopeful outlook for their future together, and I am so glad there was no insta-love going on. Their friendship felt realistic and believable, and I loved the banter between them.

Alex seemed like a really sweet guy who got caught up in trying to do right by his high school girlfriend. I could really understand his dilemma, but I wanted him to stand up for himself and take control of the situation. I thought things should be easy for him since he realized what a lying, manipulative b*tch his fiancée was.

I liked Katie for the most part, and she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. But she did come off as a little immature when discussing her parent's breakup. I thought she was old enough to understand the situation, and she should have tried talking to her mother like an adult rather than whining about everything being different this year. I liked that she wasn't instantly attracted to Alex, and she respected the boundaries because she knew he was engaged.

I loved the writing and I will be looking to read more books by Angie Stanton. Since this is labeled as New Adult, I was expecting it to be heavier, but it's really nice and clean. It had likable characters and a storyline that was believable. Snowed over is definitely a cute and fun story, and the perfect book to read at this time of the year.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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Waiting On Wednesday (105) Killer Instinct by @Shan_E_Green @simonteen

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week because I get to share books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Hardcover, 272 pages
Expected publication: May 6th 2014 by Simon Pulse

Synopsis From Goodreads:

She’s not evil, but she has certain... urges.

Lane is a typical teenager. Loving family. Good grades. Afterschool job at the local animal hospital. Martial arts enthusiast. But her secret obsession is studying serial killers. She understands them, knows what makes them tick.

Why?

Because she might be one herself.

Lane channels her dark impulses by hunting criminals—delivering justice when the law fails. The vigilantism stops shy of murder. But with each visceral rush the line of self-control blurs.
And then a young preschool teacher goes missing. Only to return... in parts.
When Lane excitedly gets involved in the hunt for “the Decapitator,” the vicious serial murderer that has come to her hometown, she gets dangerously caught up in a web of lies about her birth dad and her own dark past. And once the Decapitator contacts Lane directly, Lane knows she is no longer invisible or safe. Now she needs to use her unique talents to find the true killer’s identity before she—or someone she loves—becomes the next victim...

This sounds awesome!!!!!!! A teenager with certain 'urges' who is obsessed with serial killers. Yeppers, I can't wait to read this one.

What are you waiting on this week?
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Review: Wild Cards (Wild Cards #1) by Simone Elkeles

Wild Cards (Wild Cards, #1)Wild Cards (Wild Cards #1) by Simone Elkeles

Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Page Count: 342
Published by: Walker Books for Young Readers
Source: Review copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis From Goodreads:

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

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I was really looking forward to reading Wild Cards, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would. I went into it expecting great things, but it just didn't work for me. It was not at all what I thought it would be, and really not an excellent story like I was expecting from Simone Elkeles.

The 'romance' between Ashtyn and Derek was forced and more like insta-love/insta-hate, and there was no basis for their animosity. There was a bit of angst and some snarky dialogue interspersed with some really cute moments between them, but there weren't any of those really big moments that would have made me fall in love with this couple. The plot was pretty straightforward, but I felt it dragged at times.

I am a huge fan of dual POV, but in this book it just didn't work for me because I didn't like Ashtyn or Derek, so I didn't really care how they felt and what they thought about each other. I felt no connection to them whatsoever, and they kind of annoyed me. It also bothered me that there was little to no character development.

I thought the football aspect would play a much, much larger role than it did, so I was disappointed at the little amount of football that was actually present.

The writing is very good and the story flows well enough. I felt that the pacing was great until the very end when Elkeles tried to wrap everything up too quickly. I really wanted to love this book. But in the end it just fell short because it lacked depth and emotion, and that makes me sad. Since none of the characters were particularly memorable or outstanding, in the end I was left feeling nothing for the characters or the story. I will continue with the next book in this series in the hopes that it improves.

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
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Waiting On Wednesday (104) The Rules for Breaking by @ashley_elston

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week because I get to share books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: May 20th 2014 by Disney-Hyperion

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Anna Boyd almost lost her life to get what she wanted most in the world: freedom.

But just when it seems that her family has finally escaped Witness Protection, the illusion that Anna could resume a normal life comes crashing down.

The deadly man Anna knows as Thomas is still on the loose, and now he's using her as a pawn in a dangerous game with the drug cartel determined to silence her forever. When Thomas and a mysterious masked man capture not only Anna but also her fragile younger sister and her boyfriend, Anna decides it's time to break all the rules-even if it means teaming up with the lesser of two evils.

Anna will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves and win her life back once and for all. But her true enemies are hidden in plain sight. Before long, Anna will learn that putting her trust in anyone may be the last mistake she ever makes.

I really enjoyed reading the first book in this series, The Rules for Disappearing. I was wondering what happened to Thomas after he disappeared. He was SO shady! Now I'll get to find out just how big of a part he played in what happened in the first book. Plus, I liked Anna and Ethan and I can't wait to read more about them.

What are you waiting on this week?
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Review: (Never) Again by Theresa Paolo

(Never) Again(Never) Again by Theresa Paolo

Genre: New Adult
Publication Date: October 15, 2013
Page Count: 211
Published by: Berkley Penguin Group (USA)
Source: Review copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Just when she had finally moved on…
…He moved back.

When college freshman Liz Wagner hears her ex's voice for the first time since he moved clear across the freaking country, she does what any respectable girl would do: Dive into the girls' bathroom.

Zach Roberts—the Zach Roberts—is back. And he’s everywhere Liz looks—infiltrating her friend group, buddy-buddy with her brother. It’s enough to ruin college altogether. But what choice does she have but to put on a happy face and pretend he didn't leave her vulnerable and alone in a pile of emotional wreckage?

Pretending works, until tragedy strikes and the only person available for comfort is the one person she wants to stay away from. When Zach turns out not to be the jerk she convinced herself he was, but the boy she used to love, Liz needs to decide whether to open her heart again to the boy who tore it out.

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(Never) Again was a decent read, but not a favorite of mine. In the end I thought it was just okay because I didn't really connect with any of the characters.

The protagonist, Liz, had a really bad break up with her high school boyfriend, Zach. Now in college, Liz has put her life back together and has a new boyfriend, Joe. When Zach shows up again and wants to be friends, Liz must learn to deal with her lingering feelings for him. The more time they spend together, the more Liz starts to fall for Zach (again), but she is standoffish because she is afraid he will hurt her (again). Also, Liz likes to point out that she already has a boyfriend - even if he isn't all that great. Zach is desperate for a second chance with Liz, and he apologizes numerous times and tries to explain about the break up from his side. But Liz isn't so easily won over, and Zach has a lot of making up to do if he wants to get Liz back.

I was frustrated with Liz's behavior for most of the book, and I found her to be annoying. I felt that her voice was too immature for a college freshman. It was obvious to everyone except her that Joe was a tool, yet she insisted in believing him to be worthy of losing her virginity to. I though Zach was an alright character. He seemed like a really stand up kind of guy, thoughtful, funny, and cute (which is always a bonus!) A bright spot for me was Liz's brother, Josh. I liked him and I think he was the most interesting character by far.

I thought the story was predictable, but it was interesting enough to keep me reading and keep me mildly entertained. Since it's a story about first love and second chances, I was expecting more angst and emotions in the story, but they just weren't there. The writing was pretty good, and I probably would have enjoyed the book more if I hadn't felt so indifferent about the characters. I am disappointed that the characters weren't very well developed. Overall, (Never) Again wasn't terrible, but there wasn't much that I liked about it. This is noted as being NA, but it's pretty clean and reads more like YA.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Waiting On Wednesday (103) Only Everything by @KieranScott

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week because I get to share books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication: May 6th 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Synopsis from Edelweiss:

High school romance is tough—even for a bona fide love goddess. Can Cupid succeed as a mortal matchmaker?

When Eros (aka Cupid) is expelled from Olympus for defying Zeus after falling in love with Orion, she is banished to what she believes to be hell. We call it New Jersey. If she ever wants to go back to the comforts of her old life, she will have to find love for three couples—without using her powers.

Eros, now calling herself True, immediately identifies her first project in Charlie and believes finding him love will be a piece of cake. Charlie is new at school and eager to break out of his old image of band geek, so it’s lucky for him when he falls in with the right crowd on his first day. But music is still his passion. That is, until he meets Katrina...

Katrina is floundering after the death of her father and takes refuge with a boy who, while not entirely supportive, will be there when she needs him, unlike her mother. Too bad True thinks any girl Charlie talks to is perfect for him. Can she get out of her own way and help Charlie and Katrina connect, or will she be stuck in New Jersey forever?

Why do I want to read Only Everything? Have you read that synopsis?!?!? Doesn't that just sound awesome? And different? Oooh, I hope it's really, really good! And I am so lucky because I have an eARC that I will be reading (hopefully) soon.

What are you waiting on this week?
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Review: While You're Away by Jessa Holbrook

While You're Away (While You're Away, #1)While You're Away (While You're Away #1) by Jessa Holbrook

Publication Date: October 15, 2013
Page Count: 48
Published by: Razorbill
Source: Review copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Once a cheater, always a cheater?

From the moment Will and Sarah first set eyes upon each other, they know that what they have is special.

There's just one little problem . . . each of them already has a significant other.

After flirting with danger, it becomes clear their passion is too strong to be denied. But even if they make their relationship official, there are plenty of challenges in store. Will leaves for college at the end of the summer, while Sarah faces her senior year of high school in their small suburban town. Long-distance relationships always come with their fair share of troubles—mismatched schedules, jealousy, and temptation are only the beginning.

Can cheaters ever change?

WHILE YOU'RE AWAY is a steamy story about a love triangle, a long-distance relationship, and learning the true meaning of commitment.

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While You're Away is Part 1 of a 6 part serialized novel, with a new part being released each week. I thought this was an interesting and entertaining start. The writing was really good, and the characters are beginning to be developed. It's not long enough to get the chance to know the characters very well, but you do get some basic background information to help understand them. I read this first part in one sitting because I got so caught up in the developing story.

Sarah and Dave have been together for a while, and they have a certain level of comfort with each other. They have formed a singing and guitar playing duo. The bad thing is that Dave has a habit of flirting and all but ignoring Sarah after their shows. Sarah is fed up with Dave's behavior and seeks out Will at a party. They immediately feel the chemistry between them and end up making out. Will has a reputation of getting around with lots of girls at school. But to me it definitely seemed like there was a lot more going on with Will below the surface. Something wasn't ringing true about his behavior, and I couldn't reconcile his reputation with the way he was acting around Sarah. I can't wait to find out if I am right about him.

I'm not a fan of cheaters, and I find it difficult to root for them. I always get the feeling that they could have made different choices, like end the relationship they don't want to be in, rather than lie and sneak around. I know I'm in the minority, but I like a good triangle when it's done right, but so far I am not enjoying this one. As of now I'm not sure if I can get behind Sarah and Will as a couple when I don't know how I feel about Sarah and Dave. Hopefully, as the story progresses I will get a better feel for which couple I prefer.

It's difficult to rate such a small part of a book, but I really did enjoy what I have read so far. I think this series has a ton of potential and I am interested in reading the next 5 parts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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October Recap and November TBR

Somehow, another month has come and gone. I think I had a great October. I managed to read a lot of enjoyable books, and I am slowly getting a grip on my reviews.

Favorite book I read was Made of Stars. It is all kinds of awesome! I also enjoyed reading Bang, and I can't wait for the next book in that series.

Read in October:

Bang (Visions #2) by Lisa McMann
Hereafter (Shadowlands #2) by Kate Brian
Time After Time (Time Between Us #2) by Tamara Ireland Stone
Made of Stars by Kelley York
Forgiving Lies (Forgiving Lies #1) by Molly McAdams
(Never) Again by Theresa Paolo
Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne
Hell Without You by Ranae Rose
While You're Away (While You're Away #1) by Jessa Holbrook

Total Pages Read: 2349

Reviews posted in October:
(Link will take you to my review.)

Leap of Faith by Jamie Blair
Bang (Visions #2) by Lisa McMann
Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller
The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace
Headfirst Falling by Melissa Guinn
Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
Hell Without You by Ranae Rose

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November TBR:
Look at those books! My list looks huge this month. Hopefully I will get the chance to read all of these. Are any of these books on your tbr this month?

Fault Line by Christa Desir
Palace of Spies (Palace of Spies #1) by Sarah Zettel
The In-Between by Barbara Stewart
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
After Eden (After Eden #1) by Helen Douglas
Hushed by Kelley York
A Little Too Much (A Little Too Far #2) by Lisa Desrochers
Mine (Real #2) by Katy Evans
Remy (Real #3) by Katy Evans
Snowed Over by Angie Stanton
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Review: Forgiving Lies (Forgiving Lies #1) by Molly McAdams

Forgiving Lies (Forgiving Lies, #1)Forgiving Lies (Forgiving Lies #1) by Molly McAdams

Publication Date: October 29, 2013
Page Count: 368
Published by: William Morrow & Company
Source: Review copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

New Adult Contemporary Romance **Contains Mature Content**
Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

Synopsis From Goodreads:

A matter of secrets...
Undercover cop Logan "Kash" Ryan can't afford a distraction like his new neighbor Rachel Masters, even if she's the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. To catch a serial killer, he needs to stay focused, yet all he can think about is the feisty, long-legged coed whose guarded nature intrigues him

A matter of lies...
Deceived and hurt before, Rachel would rather be a single, crazy cat lady than trust another guy, especially a gorgeous, tattooed bad boy with a Harley, like Kash. But when his liquid-steel eyes meet hers, it takes all of Rachel's will-power to stop herself from exploring his hot body with her own.

A matter of love...
As much as they try to keep it platonic, the friction between them sparks an irresistible heat that soon consumes them. Can Kash keep Rachel's heart and her life safe even as he risks his own? Will she be able to forgive his lies ... or will she run when she discovers the dangerous truth?

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I'm really on the fence about Forgiving Lies. I was really looking forward to reading it, and I did finish it, but I had problems with some of the events that occurred. I'm not a fan of writing things just for the shock value, which is what I feel happened here. Not just once, not twice, but three times. However, I pushed on and finished reading despite my reluctance.

I don't like my characters dumbed down on certain occasions just to further the (ridiculous) plot. Especially after repeatedly being told they are smart and/or good at their jobs. Evidently you are NOT very bright, because look what just happened (again)! It was so frustrating reading when I just wanted to reach in and inject these characters with some good old fashioned common sense.

I wanted to like Rachel, but she made it so darn difficult. I didn't like that she let her supposed bff walk all over her and take extreme advantage of her. She was a pretty weak character, quick to take the blame, and even though she claimed to be independent, she needed help quite often.

I did actually like Kash. He was very dedicated to his job, and he always tried to do the right thing. He came to town committed to find a serial killer, and because he spent years undercover, lying about his true self was second nature. When he meets Rachel, he is attracted to her, but he knows better than to bring anyone into his life that could possibly get hurt. For the most part, he listened to his head and followed his instincts - except for those rare occasions that the author threw all of his police training and years of experience out the window and gave him knee jerk reactions that ended up making him look stupid and putting others at risk.

I enjoyed Kash and Rachel when they were together. They went from strangers, to friends, to lovers, and I loved the way the relationship developed. They were sweet together, and I enjoyed spending time with them while they bantered back and forth and got to know each other. I have no problem with Kash keeping his true identity a secret from Rachel. He was just doing his job, and I felt that the truth really had no bearing on their relationship.

I loved having Kash's partner, Mason, around. He added a bit of fun to the story and he was a great friend to Kash. It was wonderful how sweet and caring he was towards Rachel. I loved that he was the first one to pick up on the little clues about Rachel and her past.

Rachel's best friend, Candice, is the sorriest excuse for a best friend I have ever encountered. Just say NO to this chick being your BFFFF. F. F. F. Nein. Nie wieder. (Gah. I'm thinking/posting in German and I only know a few phrases. I think that's proof of how upset I am about Candice. Scheiße.) I really didn't like Candice because she didn't stand up for or stand by Rachel, her supposed best friend. When Rachel was at her lowest point, Candice didn't believe her or offer any kind of support. She also took the other person's side and put Rachel in danger on more than one occasion. Another huge thing I didn't like about Candice - she had a habit of sleeping around (a LOT). She would bring random guys home and then literally throw Rachel out of their 2 bedroom apartment so she could have sex. At times it was so bad that Rachel would be locked out in her pajamas with nowhere to go, and oftentimes she was locked out overnight. Because of Candice's selfish behavior, Rachel spent a lot of time at Kash and Mason's apartment. There also lies another problem that I had - I really wished the author hadn't MADE Rachel and Kash spend so much time together. I would have preferred if they had WANTED to spend time together getting to know each other, rather than being forced as part of the plot. So much effort went into writing ways to force their closeness, when it should have came more naturally.

I'm so upset that just when I thought this book was near the end, I got thrown for a loop by one hell of a cliffhanger. I didn't see that coming.

It's been a little while since I finished reading Forgiving Lies, and I still don't know how I feel. On one hand, I did like Kash and Rachel's relationship. But on the other hand, I really didn't like some of the things that happened and the way certain things were handled. I thought the writing was alright, but not anything special. I didn't like the formulaic plot. I am quick to admit that I kept reading because I was interested in Kash (who wouldn't be?) Will I be reading the next book? I honestly don't know. I'd like to see how things turn out, but I'd hate to have to suffer through more of the same.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
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