Review: Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Slammed (Slammed, #1) by Colleen Hoover

Book: Slammed (Slammed, #1) by Colleen Hoover

Published: January 5th 2012 by Colleen Hoover

My rating: 5 (big bright shiny stars)/5 Stars

Genre: New Adult 

Goodreads Summary:

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.

Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.

Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart."

My thoughts:

This is the second Bout of Books read-a-thon book I have completed :)

When I first heard of this book, it was in a booktube review. I cannot remember who it was, or what they said exactly but I remember thinking I had to read this book. Since then, about a month ago, this book has been on my TBR list. Every time I went to pick out a new book, and I read the goodreads synopsis on this one. Every time I thought, "Eh, I'll read it next week."

I'm not really sure what it is about this synopsis, but I just assumed it would be another insta-love gone wrong book. I was trying to think of all kind of "shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt." I think I had probably come up with a million scary different things that all ended in this being a silly overrated book. I will be the fist to admit it guys, I WAS WRONG. So terribly, incredibly wrong. 

This book is amazing. There is nothing silly or overrated about it. This book tells the story of a love, that even though it seemed like insta-love at first really is not.(Even if it was insta-love, the reader would know exactly what they were getting themselves into with the synopsis. It clearly states "Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection" You have been warned). Will and Layken go out on a date and have a wonderful time, they come home and they are both so happy. Then shortly after, they are forced to end their relationship. Just in this short section of the book, you will laugh, cry, and everything in between. This book brought out emotions I have not felt in a long time due to reading. It was incredibly refreshing.

Things I enjoyed about this book:

- It was a genuinely good book. Not the cheesy, cute but fluffy book that we all enjoy or the super intense type of book that we all love, but a real honest book that reminds us that life happens. It does not stop for us, it keeps moving every day, and to appreciate what we have. If you have read this book, you should recognize these themes, they are clearly stated in the book. It was such a nice change to read a book that was not some crazy paranormal or unrealistic book. It just showed an honest relationship. And not just a romantic relationship  it show a relationship between mother and daughter, siblings, friendship, and so much more. 

-In this book, the character's went to poetry slams. This exposed me to something new that I have not done but would really like to. It was also something I have not read about before. It was cool to read this book and feel like I was experiencing something completely new.

-I didn't see any of this happening. There is so much more to this book, than just a relationship  And I could never have predicted any of it. Everything that happened was unexpected, but not in a "The author did that to trick me" kind of way, but more in a "life happens" kind of way. 

Things I didn't like about this book:

-That I didn't read it sooner. Seriously guys, thats the only bad thing I've got and its my fault, no one elses. It was that good pure genius. 

Overall: Colleen Hoover did a wonderful job with this book, it is a new all time favorite. If anyone ever asks me to recommend a book, this will be it. Hands down, no questions asked. I love this book. If you have not read it yet, drop what your doing, put you other books aside, and read this. NOW. Kay, thanks :)

Review: Fallen Too Far

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines

Book: Fallen Too Far (Too Far, #1) by Abbi Glines

Published: December 16th 2012 by Abbi Glines

My rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Genre: New Adult 

*this book does contain mature, adult content

Goodreads Summary:

"To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter. 

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother. 

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far."

When I first heard of this book, I was immediately hooked. I was also really curious to see how this step-sibling romance would play out. I was really worried it would cross the lines of okay and go right into creepy incest. Thankfully, I was completely wrong and had nothing to worry about! Although these two are technically step-siblings, they don't know each other. They have gone their entire lives with their respective parents, and have never even heard of each other until now.

Reasons why I enjoyed this book:

-NOT CREEPY. Seriously guys, I had seen so many reviews on this book and it's sequel, Never Too Far, and was really intrigued. My biggest fear was that it would be some gross book about these two siblings falling in love that was just too much to handle. But it wasn't. The characters ,Blaire who is 19 and Rush who is 24, are adults who have gone their entire lives without knowing each other. When Blaire's mother dies, she has to sell everything, including their house. Because it was just Blaire and her mother, she calls her dad who leads her to believe she will stay with him. When she shows up at his house, Rush is the only one home. Because she has nowhere else to go, she stays there and thats when the relationship starts. 

-This book is hot. This book is not all about sex, but its in there. And the tension leading up to their relationship is equally swoon-worthy. Here are a few samples of the steamy action in this book:

"I covered my mouth and took a step back. Rush was having sex. Outside, On his porch. I couldn't turn away from it." And then the next time Blair sees Rush, he tells her... "'Keep your distance from me, Blaire. You don't want to get too close. Last night.' He Swallowed loudly. 'Last night is haunting me. Knowing you were watching. It drives me crazy. So, stay away.'" 

"I pushed his chest with my finger and glared at him daring him to say one more word about my dress. Rush opened his eyes tightly and shook his head. 'Fuck!' he growled. Then his eyes flew open and his hands were suddenly in my hair and his mouth was on mine."

It gets even more intense and detailed, but I didn't really want to write an entire sex scene on my blog. Frist, that's just a little to awkward for me. Second,  I know some of you are probably younger readers and I don't want to make you guys too uncomfortable. Finally, and most importantly, I did not want to ruin any of the sexy-times for you guys who plan to read this book :)

-You see the transformation of sexy, bad boy Rush to sweet, caring Rush. I won't tell you too much about what happens later in the book but if you have ever read a book about a bad boy, you know there has to be some transformation. I really enjoyed getting to see how he changed for her and see how he tried to fix his mistakes, and believe me, he makes a lot of mistakes. 

-Nan. I cannot stand Nan, but she is a good villan. Someone we love to hate. Her drama gets you invested in this book. If you weren't already enjoying it, you will because you really want to know what is up with Nan and her big secret. (If you are thinking, "What the hell kind of name is Nan?" you are not alone, I was too. It's short for Nanette which makes it a little better).

Things I did not enjoy about this book:

-I loved the story, but I feel like it needed more. I'm not entirely sure what it needed more of, but it needed something else. It was so short, and at the end of the book I was left thinking, "That is it?? That's the book??" I felt like I had been given a book that was missing half of its pages. 


You remember this diagram from elementary school?? Yeah, it's not used in this book! Right where that orange line is, is where this book ended for me. I imagine someone playing some kind of cruel joke on me where they ripped the book in half right in the middle of the climax and then gave it to me. This really killed me. I liked this book, but because of this I couldn't love it as much as I want to. Which makes me sad :( 

Overall: I really enjoyed the story, and I am thinking this series as a whole will be a favorite for me, but this book as an individual was just ehhh. I really enjoyed so many things about this but because the end was such an abrupt stop, I have a hard time giving this book anything higher than 3.5 stars. 

Have you read Fallen Too Far? What did you think about it??

Review: The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Book: The Selection by Kiera Cass (The Selection #1)

Published: April 24th 2012 by HarperTeen

My rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: YA Dystopian Romance

Goodreads Summary:

"For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined"

The Selecton by Kiera Cass is the first book in The Selection Trilogy. This book, to me, is a cross between The Hunger Games and The Bachelor. I actually saw this on goodreads and really agree with it. I know some readers do not like comparing this book to The Hunger Games, so let me explain...

Why I feel it is similar:

-It is a dystopian YA in a setting that was once the US
-The people are divided into different groups (known as castes in this series) based on wealth

-Each cast has a different job they are in charge of, for example: America, out leading lady, is a 5. They are the artists. 

-There is a group of young women drawn at random to represent different areas in the country

-Their competition is broadcast live for the country to watch 

How it is different:

-They are not physically fighting, so nobody dies

-They are competing to be the Princess, not for their lives (big difference)

-One based on romance, on has a romance story intertwined into the big story

-Entering the selection is an option, it's required in The Hunger Games

All in all they have similar basic qualities but the overall plot line is very different. These girls are not fighting for their lives, they are fighting for love. This is what really makes these too books different. 

Things I enjoyed about this book:

-Maxon. I just want to hug this kid! Well, most of the time. He does have one line in here that makes me want to punch him. I don't remember exactly what it was, and I didn't mark it so I cant find it, but It was something along the lines of "Did you forget you are talking to a prince?" Like bro, she's your friend, she can talk to you how ever she wants without you throwing your title in her face. But for real guys, he is one of my (many) book boyfriends... in my mind hes totally my age :)

-Princesses, hello! I am that girl, who always dressed up as a princess for halloween when I was younger. I love The Princess Diaries (the movie, I surprisingly never read the books... I should fix that), I love Disney princess movies, I want to be a princess. In the girly dress up and live in a castle kid of way. I get there is more to the job, but thats not really what I'm in love with here. And I know I'm not alone... How many of y'all wanted to be a princess??

-It's different, I like it. While there are lot of TV shows like this, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, etc. there really aren't a lot of books with this basic plot line where the girls are competing for the love of one guy. I enjoyed the different topic. It was nice and refreshing, and really enjoyable!

-Unlike other dystopian books, the Selection is actually the main plot of the book. In other dystopian novels that is only the first book. Then the main character realizes how wrong the government and proceed to overthrow it. When I first started reading dystopian nobels, I would go into so many books, such as The Hunger Games, expecting them to be based on the initial thing that brought them in, such as the games in The Hunger Games, or becoming a part of their faction in Divergent. Those books turned out to be so much more, and as much as I loved them, I am really enjoying just reading about the selection. I'm sure somewhere down the way, either in The Elite (The Selection #2) or in The One (The Selection #3), there will be something more to the plot but for now I am really enjoying this :) 

Things I didn't enjoy about the book:

-Aspen. I get that he is important to the story, and without him there would be nothing. But I am NOT a fan. All I can say, is what a d-bag. He makes America join enter The Selection for their future and then breaks up with her. So she does what she has to do to start getting over him. GO AWAY ASPEN. NOBODY LIKES YOU. 

-Other than that I didn't really have anything I didn't like. It ended sooner than I thought it would, but thats because I was expecting to read about the entire Selection. But now the title The Elite makes a lot of sense. (For those of you who have not read the book yet, once the prince narrows down the 35 girls to 10 they are called the Elite). But as mentioned above, I am really enjoying reading about the Selection and not some crazy need to overthrow the government. 

Did you read this book? What did you think about it??

Review: Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

This book was recommended to me by a friend. She loved it and told me it was definitely a book for me! And when I first started it, I thought so too. The characters in this book were so funny! I would open it on my iPad in class and read (because my classes are BORING) and I would struggle not to burst out laughing. It was hysterical. But then I got halfway in and kept expecting some big twist or some kind of drama. And it just wasn't there, so I kept reading thinking there had to be some kind of conflict to keep the book as long as it is... and there wasn't. I had a really hard time rating this book because I loved the first half so much, and the second half was just ehhh..

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

Book: Wallbanger by Alice Clayton
Published: November 25th 2012 Omnific Publishing
My rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Goodreads Summary:

"Caroline Reynolds has a fantastic new apartment in San Francisco, a KitchenAid mixer, and no O (and we’re not talking Oprah here, folks). She has a flourishing design career, an office overlooking the bay, a killer zucchini bread recipe, and no O. She has Clive (the best cat ever), great friends, a great rack, and no O.

Adding insult to O-less, since her move, she has an oversexed neighbor with the loudest late-night wallbanging she’s ever heard. Each moan, spank, and–was that a meow?–punctuates the fact that not only is she losing sleep, she still has, yep, you guessed it, no O.

Enter Simon Parker. (No, really, Simon, please enter.) When the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. Their late-night hallway encounter has, well, mixed results. Ahem. With walls this thin, the tension’s gonna be thick…

In her third novel, Alice Clayton returns to dish her trademark mix of silly and steamy. Banter, barbs, and strutting pussycats, plus the sexiest apple pie ever made, are dunked in a hot tub and set against the gorgeous San Francisco skyline in this hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight."

Things I enjoyed about this book:

- The characters had me literally laughing out loud. I mean this guys, I would be sitting with my boyfriend (who will be known as BF from now on) reading while he was watching baseball or whatever other sport is on TV. And I would just bust out laughing. BF kept asking me what was so funny, wanting in on the fun, and I would just say "nothing." Finally he got so frustrated, I was like "It's my book! You won't care." Then he lost interest. 

But for real guys, these characters are so witty and straightforward that pretty much everything out of their mouth (or in their thoughts) is hysterical! This what really pulled me into the book. 

-There is so much sexual tension, I could feel it. From the second Caroline and Simon meet you can feel the pull between them. You are constantly rooting for them because you can tell how badly they want each other. The whole first half of the book they are making all these sassy, smart ass comments to each other that really build up the tension. I loved it!

- Unlike some romance novels, they don't just jump right into bed with each other. They actually take the time to build a relationship. This is so uncommon (at least with the books I have read) and I wish it was not. I love building the relationship because it really helps me connect with the characters. You see them move from hating each other, to building a friendship and more. It actually felt authentic. 

Reasons I only like, not love, this book:

-As much as I hate to say this, I got bored. I never would have thought I would based on how funny and entertaining the first half of this book was. I felt like there was so much going on in the beginning and it was so well thought out and the second half was just thrown together so the book would have an ending. I'm still not sure if it was me or the book, but it was just mehhh. There was so much exciting tension in the first half and I expected the second half to have some kind of big drama, but it was not there. I don't know how else to say it without really telling you the whole book so I'll leave it at that. 

-The other thing that got me was how in the beginning there were so many different characters and once we got to the second half of the book, they kind of fell off the face of the Earth. Eventually they were mentioned, but they seemed so important, and then once I loved all the characters they were gone. 

Overall: I know I had a lot of negative to say about this, but I loved Caroline and Simon and their witty banter so much that I can't dislike this book, but I can't say I loved it as a whole either. Which really makes me sad, because I want to. If I have not completely turned you away from the book, please read it! Even thought it kind of dragged out in the end, I think its worth it. And maybe I'm the crazy one and everyone else loved it! If you read it let me know your thoughts!!

Did you read this book?? What did you think??

Review: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

So, I finished this book Friday night and have been so busy I have not been able to write the review on it until now! Sorry this is late, but I hope you like it!

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Book: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter (Goddess Test, #2)
Published: March 27th 2012 by Harlequin Teen
My rating: 5/5 Stars

Goodreads Summary:

"Kate Winters has won immortality.
But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry's first wife, Persephone."


**if you have not read the first book, I do not recommend reading any more of this review**

Things I really loved about this book:

-The book didn't take the first 100 pages to retell the story like so many other sequels do. 
I don't like HATE when the author spends the whole first half of the book retelling things we already know. When I really sit and think from their perspective I understand, but I always read series back to back or reread the first few before I read the new ones, so for me the retelling is just annoying and redundant. And in this book, Aimee Carter has done a great job of reminding you of what happend without giving you full descriptions of characters and events that happened in the previous book. It made getting into the story so much more enjoyable :)

-We got to meet Persephone. I'm sure we all saw this coming. She played such an important role in Henry's life that even though you don't like her for leaving Henry you really want to meet her to see for yourself who she really is. And, let me just tell you guys, I had so many different opinions on her by the time this book was over. I would hate her one minute and the next she would be my favorite character. Overall, I think I like her, but I'll let you guys decide for yourselves.

-Super intense emotions. Yeah, this pretty much goes along with what I said above. This book just made me feel so many different things. I really loved how Aimee Carter can completely catch me off guard. She has this story set up, and you think you know whats

Things I did not enjoy about this book:

-Im trying really hard to come up with at least one small critique, but I've got nothing. I loved this book so much. Which is really unusual for me with sequels because I do not normally like them nearly as much as the first book in a series.

-The only thing I was not a huge fan of is something I cannot mention. Basically the entire book I was constantly changing my mind about Persephone. At first I hated her, then I learned more about her and she wasn't so bad, and it just went back and forth until the book ended. But even though I did not like it, it was necessary for the story. So it really doesn't count.

Overall: I LOVED this book. So much. Thats all I can really say. It was just that good.

Did you read this book? What did you think about it?