Review: Thin Space by Jody Casella @jodcase

Thin Space by Jody Casella

Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Page Count: 256
Published by: Beyond Words/Simon Pulse
Source: eARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Ever since the car accident that killed his twin brother, Marshall Windsor has been consumed with guilt and crippled by secrets of that fateful night. He has only one chance to make amends, to right his wrongs and set things right. He must find a Thin Space—a mythical point where the barrier between this world and the next is thin enough for a person to step through to the other side.

But, when a new girl moves into the house next door, the same house Marsh is sure holds a thin space, she may be the key—or the unraveling of all his secrets.

As they get closer to finding a thin space—and closer to each other—Marsh must decide once and for all how far he’s willing to go to right the wrongs of the living…and the dead.

I just finished reading Thin Space and it was SO amazing! I loved every second of it. When I first read the synopsis, I knew I HAD to read this book. It's told from a male POV, which I always love. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this, and let me tell you - I was not disappointed!

I love the concept of thin space, and I got caught up in reading about Marsh and his desperate attempts to find it. I was totally enthralled and just wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Of course, I couldn't help but worry about Marsh and wonder what would happen to him - both physically and emotionally - when/if he saw his brother in the thin space. What I wanted most was for Marsh to be able to move forward and find peace and happiness.

I absolutely loved Marsh. LOVED him! I was right there with him as he dealt with his grief over losing his twin brother, Austin. He was in so much pain that it was difficult for him to get through each day. Marsh really struggled with his own identity, and he had such a hard time figuring out who he was now that he wasn't part of a set anymore. He was a totally sympathetic character to me, and my heart really went out to him. I had quite a few 'Mom' moments where I really wanted to reach out and hug him. His story just broke my heart.

I loved Maddie, and I enjoyed her and Marsh becoming friends and spending time together. She believed in Marsh and really wanted to help him find the thin space so he could find the answers he was looking for. Marsh and Maddie's friendship began out of curiosity rather than attraction, and neither one had any expectations from the other, so they could just be themselves without judgement. By opening himself up to Maddie, Marsh was able to start feeling more like his old self.

And holy heck on that ending! I totally didn't see that coming. Although I did have a teensy, tiny, twinkling, nagging thought in the back of my mind that something like that was going to occur, it just completely blew my mind that the author managed to pull it off. I think that's a big reason why I loved this book so much. Thinking back on it, there were things that I missed or misinterpreted the first time around. I would love to give this book a second read just to experience it all over again.

Thin Space was a beautifully written and well thought out story about love and loss. The pacing was perfect, and there was so much intrigue that I didn't want to stop reading. What an unexpectedly wonderful book that left my heart hurting in all the right ways.

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


YA Debut Author Challenge
YA Stand Alone Reading Challenge

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Waiting On Wednesday (94) Lady Thief (Scarlet #2) @acgaughen

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.

Lady Thief (Scarlet #2) by A.C. Gaughen

Hardcover, 304 pages

Expected publication: February 11th 2014 by Walker Childrens

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.

WooHoo! I'm sooooo excited for Lady Thief! When I first read Scarlet, it was a stand alone. But it was one of those books that you wished WAS part of a series because it was so awesome that you wanted to read more. I did such a happy dance when I found out that it was going to be a trilogy. I don't know how I'm supposed to wait until February to read this though.

What are you waiting on this week?

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Review: Indelible by Bethany Lopez

Indelible by Bethany Lopez

Publication Date: July 9, 2013
Page Count: 254
Genre: New Adult
Source: eArc provided in exchange for an honest review

Purchase on Amazon

Synopsis From Goodreads:

After a year of partying, Sam decides to buckle down and focus on college. Things are going great until a one-night stand leaves her pregnant and alone. Raising a child while going to school isn’t easy, but Sam is determined to be strong for her daughter. She doesn’t have time for guys or relationships, and takes great care to protect her child and her heart.

Judd doesn’t fit the mold of a college ballplayer. His long hair and tattoos may fit the life he’s created for himself, but baseball is the one thing he takes seriously. When he meets Sam, he’s immediately drawn to her curves and refusal to put up with his crap. When Judd learns the truth, can he handle the responsibility that comes with loving a single mother?

Sam yearns for the fire that Judd fuels in her, but her child’s needs have to come first. Can two people at different stages in their life find a way to make a life together?

This was such a cute and sweet story. I loved everything about it. I've been dying to read Indelible ever since I took part in the Cover Reveal back in June. I really love that cover, and it's exactly what I picture Sam looking like.

Sam was a great protagonist, and I really liked her. She was a single mother trying to juggle school, work, and her daughter. I felt proud of her accomplishments, and I thought she was strong for not needing a man around to make her feel good about herself. She was so courageous for doing what she did near the end of the book, and I could totally understand her decision to do what she thought was best for everyone involved.

Sam managed to surround herself with the right people, and stayed away from anything and anyone who could potentially hurt her daughter. I really liked Sam's friends. They were so supportive of her! I thought they gave great advice, and they were always there when she needed them.

I ended up really loving Judd. He starts out with a bit of a questionable reputation, but he quickly won me (and Sam!) over. He turned out to be a stand up guy with a big heart. He was patient and understanding, and just what Sam needed in her life. Plus, it didn't hurt that Judd was pretty darn adorable when he was around Sam's 2 year old daughter.

The relationship between Sam and Judd was enjoyable to read about, and I liked that it took time to develop. I loved how honest they were able to be with each other, which made it easy to want their relationship to work out. I liked that Lopez managed to create a realistic conflict between Sam and Judd that they had to work through, and she wrote it without the over the top drama and angst that seems to plague NA books.

The pacing was great, the writing was terrific, and the romance was believable. This is such a lovely story with real characters. It has a cute and sweet romance, and it was a really quick read. I do wish the book was longer because I enjoyed it so much, and I liked spending time with the characters. In the end, this book left me with a huge case of the warm fuzzies. Indelible was a very satisfying and wonderful story that I highly recommend.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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September is for Sequels Giveaway Hop

September is for Sequels Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the September is for Sequels Giveaway Hop hosted by Lisa Loves Literature and I am A Reader, Not A Writer.

Giveaway runs September 2 - 9, 2013

One winner will receive a copy of The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater.

(This will be a Pre-Order as this book releases on September 17)

Giveaway Rules:
•This giveaway is international. (As long as The Book Depository ships to your country.)
•Entries will be verified.
•Must be 13 years of age or older to participate.
•Fill out the Rafflecopter entry below.
•Please do NOT leave your email address in comments.
•Winner will be notified via email and have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected.

To visit the entire list of participants in this hop, please click HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Waiting On Wednesday (93) Biggest Flirts @JenniferEchols

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.

Biggest Flirts (Superlatives #1) by Jennifer Echols

Expected publication: May 20th 2014 by Simon Pulse

Synopsis From Goodreads:

The yearbook votes have been cast. Senior year is about to get interesting.

Tia just wants to have fun. She’s worked hard to earn her reputation as the life of the party, and she’s ready for a carefree senior year of hanging out with friends and hooking up with cute boys. And her first order of business? New guy Will. She can’t get enough of his Midwestern accent and laid-back swagger.

As the sparks start to fly, Will wants to get serious. Tia’s seen how caring too much has left her sisters heartbroken, and she isn’t interested in commitment. But pushing away Will drives him into the arms of another girl. Tia tells herself it’s no big deal…until the yearbook elections are announced. Getting voted Biggest Flirt along with Will is, well, awkward. They may just be friends, but their chemistry is beginning to jeopardize Will's new relationship—and causing Tia to reconsider her true feelings. What started out as a lighthearted fling is about to get very complicated…

If you've ever read my blog at all, you will know that I read everything that Jennifer Echols writes. Biggest Flirts is the first book in a new series that begins next year. May is too far away!

What are you waiting on this week?

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Review: Truly, Madly, Deadly by Hannah Jayne

Truly, Madly, Deadly by Hannah Jayne

Publication Date: July 2, 2013
Page Count: 272
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: eArc provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis From Goodreads:

They Said It Was An Accident...

Sawyer Dodd is a star athlete, a straight-A student, and the envy of every other girl who wants to date Kevin Anderson. When Kevin dies in a tragic car crash, Sawyer is stunned. Then she opens her locker to find a note:

You're welcome.

Someone saw what he did to her. Someone knows that Sawyer and Kevin weren't the perfect couple they seemed to be. And that someone—a killer—is now shadowing Sawyer's every move...

Truly, Madly, Deadly was a great mystery that held enough suspense and thrills to keep me entertained. It was just the right amount of scary (at least for me) and not too dark.

I thought Sawyer was an okay protagonist. I wasn't especially drawn to her, and I couldn't really relate to her, but I could definitely feel sympathy for her because it seemed she was so dejected at times. I liked that she was trying very hard to get her life back on track. I could totally understand why she had conflicted feelings about her boyfriend's death because of the abuse she suffered from him.

Soon after her boyfriend's death, scary and weird things started happening around Sawyer. When she became aware that she was being stalked, Sawyer didn't know where to turn or who to trust. As people around her began getting hurt, it seemed like she was more alone than ever, even though she was surrounded by people who cared about her. There were times when I thought that Sawyer didn't take the threats against her safety seriously enough. I know I was scared for her on several occasions, and just I wish she had shown more interest in her own self preservation.

I was definitely intrigued while reading, and I was very intent on discovering who the killer/stalker was. There were so many twists and turns that I never really felt as though I knew who to point my finger at. Even though I had suspicions early on, I really had no idea who the killer/stalker was, so I started second guessing myself. It totally made sense in the end, but I was still very surprised.

I loved the pace of the story. The author did a great job at keeping up the suspense throughout the book. This was a good page turner that held my interest and kept me reading right up to the end. Truly, Madly, Deadly was an enjoyable and entertaining read that I recommend to anyone who loves a good YA mystery.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


YA Contemporary Challenge
Stand Alone Reading Challenge

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Review: Real (Real, Raw & Ripped #1) by Katy Evans

Series Saturday (5) and Review

Today on Series Saturday I am featuring a review of Real by Katy Evans. This is the first book in the Real, Raw & Ripped series. There will be 4 more books in this series: Mine, Remy, Raw, & Ripped.

Real (Real, Raw & Ripped #1) by Katy Evans

Publication Date: September 3, 2013
Page Count: 320
Published by: Gallery Books
Source: eArc provided in exchange for an honest review


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

Synopsis From Goodreads:

HOT. SEXY. POWERFUL. PAINFUL. REAL. The scorching international bestseller that strips away everything you’ve ever believed about passion . . . .

Remington Tate has a bad-boy rep in and out of the ring, a granite-hard body, and a raw, animal power that sends his female fans into a frenzy. But from the moment their eyes lock, the only woman he wants is Brooke Dumas. His desire is pure, all-consuming, and REAL.

Hired to keep his perfect body working like a machine, Brooke finally has the lucrative sports therapy job she’s been dreaming of. But as she tours the dangerous underground fighting circuit with Remy and his team, Brooke’s own body becomes alive with the most primal of hungers. If what happens between Brooke and Remy is ever as light as a flirtation, it quickly becomes an erotic obsession for them both, and promises so much more.

But their white-hot lust has a dark side—and when Remy’s deepest secret comes to light and Brooke’s familial duties demand action, will the pair be able to hang on, or will everything that once seemed so real suddenly fade away like an illusion?

You know what? Honestly, this was not a terrible book by my standards. However, the use - sorry, I meant to say OVER use - of certain words, phrases, and actions caused me to rate this book down.

The repetition in this book was beyond ridiculous. The clenching! Everything clenched, all the time, and several times a page. There was too much licking. Like all the time licking. It was just too much for me. Oh, the scenting. They didn't smell each other, they scented. I don't even know WTF that means exactly, but it was worrisome for me. Also, Brooke had a condition... I'll just stop here and simplify things. She was horny. Perpetually horny. And her inner dialogue was really forthcoming about her constant wet state. That's not something I wanted or needed to know.

Needless to say, I didn't like Brooke at all. I couldn't understood her way of thinking and acting, so I never really connected with her.

I really didn't get to know Remy very well, but for some unknown reason, I really liked him. He was troubled, yet I found him intriguing, and I wanted to know more about him. That doesn't mean that I agree with the way he handled things. I really wanted Remy to man up and own his problem, and be proactive in doing something about it. Instead, he hired people to 'handle' him when his problem got out of hand. I would have preferred Remy facing things head on and taking the responsibility for it himself.

I really didn't get Brooke and Remy's attraction, other than they were hot for each other. I honestly can't even tell you if they were good for each other or not. And I don't know if either one of them brought anything worthwhile to the relationship. It really had disaster written all over it!

Halfway through the book I was desperate for conversations between Brooke and Remy. Was it really that difficult to write real conversations between the two of them? They barely speak to each other! The whole music thing was alright, but I would have preferred actual dialogue.

Surprisingly, I found Real to be an addictive read. One that I couldn't put down until I finished it. Just be aware that there are tons of issues with this book. There was some really bad writing at times, too much repetition, and immature actions and inner dialogue. What I really enjoyed was the boxing/fighting aspect. I do think that Real had the potential to be really great, but it fell short for me.

I am contemplating reading the next installment titled Mine. I just don't want to suffer through more of Brooke's POV! The 3rd book, Remy, will be from Remy's POV, which I think I will enjoy because I AM interested in learning more about Remy.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Waiting On Wednesday (92) Time After Time

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.

Time After Time (Time Between Us #2) by Tamara Ireland Stone

Hardcover, 368 pages

Expected publication: October 8th 2013 by Disney-Hyperion

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Calling Anna and Bennett’s romance long distance is an understatement: she’s from 1995 Chicago and he’s a time traveler from 2012 San Francisco. The two of them never should have met, but they did. They fell in love, even though they knew they shouldn't. And they found a way to stay together, against all odds.

It’s not a perfect arrangement, though, with Bennett unable to stay in the past for more than brief visits, skipping out on big chunks of his present in order to be with Anna in hers. They each are confident that they’ll find a way to make things work...until Bennett witnesses a single event he never should have seen (and certainly never expected to). Will the decisions he makes from that point on cement a future he doesn't want?

Told from Bennett’s point of view, Time After Time will satisfy readers looking for a fresh, exciting, and beautifully-written love story, both those who are eager to find out what’s next for Time Between Us's Anna and Bennett and those discovering their story for the first time.

More Time Travel! This time from Bennett's POV! Sounds awesome to me. Despite the meh ending of Time Between Us, I am really looking forward to reading this one (sooner rather than later since I have an arc!) I'm looking forward to finding out more about Bennett and his time traveling abilities.

What are you waiting on this week?

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