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Releasing Now: Hardline

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts by

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Hardline

The Hacker Series #3

By

Meredith Wild

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Synopsis:

Software mogul Blake Landon has met his match in headstrong Erica Hathaway. While his controlling nature and her independent spirit continue to battle, Blake has no intention of letting her out of his life again.
Erica has given Blake her trust and her love, determined that they will conquer any challenges together. But when he demands more and tests the boundaries of her commitment, she is forced to face the dark desires he’s kept hidden.
As their bonds grow tighter, their enemies close in. With Erica’s start-up in danger, Blake’s frustration grows as he tries to protect her from those who would ruin her only to get to him. Can their relationship survive when Blake’s enemies cross the line and threaten more than her livelihood?

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My Review

I have to say I don’t think I have ever been through such an emotional journey while reading, as I was with reading Hardline (Hacker #3) by Meredith Wild. This book put me through the emotional ringer. I am quite positive I stopped breathing, gasped, shrieked, and had heart palpitations more times than I could count while reading this magnificent book. It was all freaking worth it too!

Suffice to say, Hardline is my new favorite in the Hacker Series. Meredith Wild and her outstanding writing skills hit it out of the darn park with this one! I’m going to try capture what the magic of this book is, but I am going to fail at doing that. I can’t even begin to capture the beauty of what Meredith Wild created in this book.

This book begins right where Hardpressed ended, and you hit the ground running. Blake is still Blake, and Erica is still trying to navigate the balance of giving him the control he so desperately needs in their relationship, while still being the stubborn independent fighter she’s always been. The chemistry between these two sparks off the page, and you can seriously feel the heat. Their love for one another continues to deepen, and it was wonderful to have another glimpse at their relationship and the level of connection they shared.

Blake Landon is still himself, but boy did I love reading his controlling ass. Especially when it was shirtless. There are many emotional and hugely vulnerable instances that show Blake in a different light than I had ever seen him in in any of the other Hacker Series books, and that made me love him more. Erica is as much of a spitfire as she was before, and I heart that girl something fierce. She’s no wilting flower, and even as the events of Hardline throw everything at her and put her through a great deal of emotional pain, she’s still there fighting. God love her for that. She is a true gem of a female character, and her perspective in this book is one you’re going to feel for and connect with whole heartedly.

The events in Hardline put Erica and Blake’s relationship to the ultimate test, and their evolution in this book is filled with raw emotion, pain, and vulnerability. Reading that evolution is breathtaking. Literally. It makes you think, it makes you question, it makes you wonder where these characters are headed and if they’ll find the light at the end of the fight. (Talk about some serious character development people!) There are moments in this book that are filled with so much emotion and meaning for both characters. They both face some honest truths and have many emotionally wrought instances, and watching how it all unfolds makes for a reading experience that’s gonna leave you with one hell of a book hangover.

I am in awe of how enthralling this book is. It will capture you in from the get go, and will take you through so much by the book’s end, but you will absolutely freaking love every single word of it. Even in the moments when your heart is beating out of your chest, and you’re wondering how in the hell it’s all going to go, you’re going to love it. Trust me. (Remember, anything worth having is worth fighting for…)

Not to be outdone, the supporting characters of this book make the story whole. They add another engaging dynamic to it all, and add a layer to the story that just brings all the events and craziness together. Alli, Heath, Marie, James, Simone, Sid, and even Daniel pull it all together into one shining book that’s going to leave you dying to know what happens next. The puzzle pieces are all coming together in this one, and I for one am eagerly anticipating where this is all going.

While this book does take you through the emotional ringer a tad, it’s also chalk full of moments of sheer joy and love that make this a true honest to god love story. At the end of the day, through all of the ups and downs that this series puts Erica and Blake through, their love shines through and you will feel it in your bones. In those moments you will fully feel the enormity of Erica and Blake’s relationship, and the true depth of their feeling and connection with one another. Their love story is one to remember, one worth fighting for, and in this book, their love is exemplified in ways that’ll warm your heart and put a ridiculous smile on your face.

Hardline will blow you out of the water. It balances it all with an intensity and complexity that will captivate you from the first word, and it will give you the reading experience you’ve been looking for. It has the light with the dark, the love with the hate, the good with the bad, the joy with the pain, and everything in between. You will feel a gamut of emotions while reading this book, and you will adore every single moment of that. This book has it all, and I for one am sold.

Hardline is the pinnacle of extraordinary writing, and it’s a book you won’t soon forget. It’s exciting, captivating, gut wrenching, phenomenally emotional, and healing in a way. If you haven’t checked out Meredith Wild and her phenomenally written books, do so today. You’re going to be kicking yourself if you pass up this book, or any of her other books for that matter.

So do yourself the favor, and 1-click this one as soon as you finish this review! (And I do mean now…)

 Meet the Author:

Meredith Wild

Meredith Wild is a USA Today and international bestselling author of erotic romance. She lives in Boston with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing or interacting with fans, she’s working with high-tech startups. 

Buy the Books:

Hardline (Hacker Series Book #3)

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Buy Links:

Amazon US         Amazon UK           Barnes & Noble          Kobo

Hardpressed (Hacker Series #2)                

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In Hardpressed, the highly anticipated second book of the Hacker Series that began with Hardwired, Blake and Erica face threats that put both their love and their lives on the line.
Despite Blake Landon’s controlling ways, the young and wealthy hacker finally won the trust of the woman he loves. Internet entrepreneur Erica Hathaway broke down the walls that kept her from opening her heart and her business to Blake.
Ready to start this new chapter in her life, Erica is determined not to let anything come between them, even if that means giving Blake back some of the control he craves in and out of the bedroom.
But when demons from her past threaten their future, Erica makes a decision that could change their lives forever.

Buy Links:

Amazon US     Amazon UK

Hardwired (Hacker Series Book #1)

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Determined to overcome a difficult past, Erica Hathaway learns early on to make it on her own. Days after her college graduation, she finds herself face to face with a panel of investors who will make or break her fledgling startup. The only thing she didn’t prepare for was going weak in the knees over an arrogant and gorgeous investor who seems determined to derail her presentation.

Billionaire and rumored hacker Blake Landon has already made his fortune in software, and he’s used to getting what he wants. Captivated by Erica’s drive and unassuming beauty, he’s wanted nothing more than to possess her since she stepped into his boardroom. Determined to win her over, he breaks down her defenses and fights for her trust, even if it means sacrificing a level of control he’s grown accustomed to.
But when Blake uncovers a dark secret from Erica’s past, he threatens not just her trust, but the life she’s fought so hard to create.

Buy Links:

Amazon US     Amazon UK

Giveaway: (Click the link to enter to win signed copies of all the books!)

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I seriously can’t recommend this book, this series, and this author to you more.  These books are phenomenal. Once you get them, you won’t be able to put them down, and y’all are gonna be head over heels in love and awe with Erica and Blake from page 1 of Hardwired.  I heart this author and her phenomenal books something fierce, and I know you will too! Truet me, this is THE series to read and fall in love with, so get to 1-clicking!

Happy Reading!

Releasing Now: Inflame

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by

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Inflame (Explosive #3) by Tessa Teevan

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 Synopsis:

Easy going soldier Kale Montgomery, a self-proclaimed ladies man, has no plans of settling down, especially not with his best friend- the sexy, sassy schoolteacher Lucy Dawson. Their relationship, though unconventional, is mutually beneficial, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Friends with benefits? Casual lovers? Whatever you want to call it, they’re having fun, in and out of bed, and to them, that’s all that matters. At least that’s what they think, but how long can you spend in someone’s bed before you find they’re also infiltrating your heart?

As their casual fling with no strings attached progresses, it’s not long before they realize they’re both in way over their heads. One fateful night changes their lives forever in ways they could never have imagined, giving them the push to finally admit that maybe, just maybe they want more than they’ve let on. Their mutual attraction rapidly intensifies as it shifts from burning lust to unrelenting want, need, and possibly even love. Suddenly the idea of settling down doesn’t seem so bad. In fact, it sounds pretty damn perfect.

Just when things seem to be falling into place, past pain and renewed insecurities rise to the surface and threaten to smother the flames of their passionate relationship, reminding them both why they’ve always kept the idea of love at arm’s length. Will Kale and Lucy realize that what they’ve been waiting for is each other, or will the blazing whirlwind of their feelings burn out too quickly, causing it to all go up in smoke?

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 Excerpt:

She looks me over, and I love the fact that she’s checking me out. I don’t know why I’m so drawn to her, but I am, and I want to get to know her better, at least where the bedroom’s concerned. Eventually, she extends her hand, and I give a firm handshake, the kind she wanted when we first met. “Please, Kale, call me Lucy.”

Shaking her hand, I say it out loud. “Lucy. I like it.”

“That’s fortunate since I’m stuck with it. Okay, Montgomery. As much as I love flirting with a hot ass soldier in the parking lot of an elementary school, I’ve got to get going. Maybe I’ll see you around?”

She starts to walk away, but I grab her hand, reeling her back in. I’m not ready for her to go, yet I don’t want to seem like some crazy stalker guy.

“Can I see you again? You know, outside of an elementary school?” I ask, my eyes bearing down into hers, begging for her to say yes.

She hesitates, and I’m afraid she’s about to say no when she finally responds. “I don’t date. I’m not looking for anything serious, so if that’s what you’re looking for, I’m the wrong girl.”

My cock practically sings at her words. A no strings attached relationship with a hot teacher right before I deploy? I couldn’t have asked for better luck.

“I don’t do relationships, either, Lucy. I just want to get to know you and to have some fun. No feelings, no strings, no nothing,” I tell her, and watch as a look of relief washes over her.

She starts digging in her purse and I watch as she scribbles something on a piece of paper before hanging it to me. “Number’s right there. Call me when you’re feeling adventurous,” she says. Before I can say anything, she spins around and swiftly walks away, leaving me to wonder just how adventurous she can be.

My Review:

As many of you know by now, I tend to list my reasons of why I love a book, and nothings changing with this post. What I absolutely loved about Inflame:

  • The spark between Lucy and Kale. The chemistry between these two characters was off the charts. You could feel it in every scene in which they were together, and it really made it that much more enthralling to read their story. I am not exaggerating when I say that you will feel the absolutely kinetic spark between them.
  • The painful pasts both characters have. Both of these seriously well-developed characters have painful pasts for different reasons. They’ve both got their issues and flaws that lead them to have similar dissatisfied views on love, and if it really exists. Those painful pasts come across wonderfully, and reveal so much about both of them individually and as a couple. It also makes what’s going on between them in the present tense that more important.
  • Kale. Kale is getting his own bullet point because I truly adore his character. He’s probably my favorite character so far in this series, because he really just struck a chord with me. I felt for him from the first page, and I just wanted to reach in and make him feel better. He had a past that just made me want to cry, and fight for him. He is a gem of a male character, and is so charming that you’re going to wish he were very real.
  • Lucy’s and her undeniable strength. Lucy is an extremely strong female character which freaking rocked. She’s got some serious personality, and I loved that even in the toughest of situations and conversations, she could totally hold her own. Seriously, don’t mess with Lucy! I also simply loved that Lucy came across as extremely relatable, and it was so easy to understand why she felt and thought the way she did.
  • The gangs all here. I have to say that Tessa Teevan did a phenomenal job of including the other characters from the previous books in the series, without making this book all about them. The balance of these characters was freaking fantastic, and it gave more of the characters that I have fallen in love with over the course of each book in the series. Bottom line: the gang is all here, and they still rock, which makes this book terrific.
  • The female friendship dynamic. The female friendship dynamic in this book adds a lovely little layer to the overall book, and its easy to relate to each of these female characters. The interactions, friendships, and connection between Lucy, Charlie, and Alexa is so well written, and you truly feel the authenticity in each of their friendships.
  • The light moments. There are plenty of heavy moments in this book, but those light moments of humor and just downright love add a pretty magnificent layer to this book. They help break down the heavy, and they just make you smile.
  • The fight for it all to work. Lucy and Kale are both working through a lot of things when they come together in this book. They’re both fighting for something, and watching that “fight” build over the book was seriously engaging.
  • The seeds for the future. Many seeds were planted in this book with many different characters in Inflame. These seeds fits seamlessly into the story, and have me seriously intrigued to see what happens next with the characters yet to be explored.
  • The pace of the book. This book’s pacing is remarkable. It is extremely well paced, and makes total sense for the events taking place in the book. The pacing also makes it easy as pie to get sucked into the book. Be forewarned you’re probably gonna read this one in one sitting. It’s just that good, and you’re not going to be able to stop!

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My Rating:

 I have loved every book in Tessa Teevan’s Explosive Series, but I have to say Inflame is probably my favorite. I just absolutely loved reading Kale and Lucy’s story, and I couldn’t help but love every minute of it. They were also really easy to connect to, and that made it all the easier to just love them, and want to fight for them. I am telling you that you need to discover this book as soon as you can, and I have to give it…

5 Hot Hot Hot Stars!

Seriously, get you fan ready while you prepare to read this one.

Purchase the Series:

Tessa Books

Inflame (Explosive, #3)

Amazon: US | UK | CA | AU // Barnes & Noble

 Ignite (Explosive #1)

Amazon US | Goodreads

Incinerate (Explosive #2)

Amazon US | Goodreads

 About the Author:

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I’m a twenty six year old book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and have been married to my own book boyfriend for over seven years. We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats.

If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.

 Connect with Tessa:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Goodreads

 Giveaway! (Click to Enter!)
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Bait (The Wake Series #1) by M. Mabie (It’s a Cover Reveal!)

Posted in All The Mumbo Jumbo, Cover Reveal, Releasing Now Book Addicts by

Coming this Summer…

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Synopsis:

He was trouble from the start, but I couldn’t resist.

She was the best kind of trouble. The kind that was so wrong, it felt right.

I’ve tried and failed to stay away from him.

I’ve done everything in my power to make her mine and keep her.

He’s almost impossible to say no to.

She never tells me yes.

We’re always fighting.

When we’re not fighting, we’re… well… making up.

He makes me laugh so hard.

I miss her laugh the most.

I’m a liar.

She knows the truth, but won’t admit it.

Sometimes, I wish I’d never met him.

I wish we could meet all over again. I’d do better.

His sweet girlfriend knows.

The guy she’s with is a fool.

I’ll never love anyone like I love him.

She doesn’t love me enough to choose us.

It was the wrong place.

It was the wrong time.

It should have been him.

It will always be her.

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Links:

Add Bait (The Wake Series, Pt.1) to your TBR on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1p6YoAn

M. Mabie Social Links:

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1hzmhkk

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ovAayx

Mailing List: http://bit.ly/1kMbfmo

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1pRBigO

Twitter: http://bit.ly/1hznYOO

Website: http://bit.ly/1nP9q04

Bio:IMG_61562025444146

M. Mabie lives in Illinois, NOT Chicago, with her husband. She is the author of Fade In, a contemporary romance novel; and loves writing for Fifty5Cents Book Blog, which she owns and operates, usually poorly.
She cares about politics, but won’t discuss them in public. She uses the same fork at every meal, watches Wayne’s World while cleaning, and lets her dog sleep on her head.
M. Mabie has never been accused of being tight lipped or shy. She’s THAT girl.
(She doesn’t usually speak in third-person, but surprisingly does when she’s weirded-out about writing her bio.)

Teasers:

 
 

 

Relentless Hope (It’s a Cover Reveal!)

Posted in All The Mumbo Jumbo, Cover Reveal, Releasing Now Book Addicts by

Releasing June 24, 2014

Synopsis

Sometimes playing by the rules and doing everything right is just not enough. A single mistake can turn your entire existence upside down, and irreversibly change the course of your life.

Aleah Lateef’s life changed after one bad judgment led to her being attacked, threatened, and abandoned by all her friends and family. Having been forced to drop out of college, with no money, no job, and no one to turn to, Aleah finds herself on the verge of homelessness and about to lose all hope. One chance encounter with an unlikely savior, however, takes her life on a journey she never imagined taking. 

Relentless Hope is book 1 in a story of losing everything and finding yourself as a result. It is a tale of the resiliency of the human heart in the face of continuous difficulties. This is the journey of a young woman’s struggles to find her way in the world and the unlikely friendships she forms along the way. It is the story of finding love in the most unlikely places and losing it all when you least expect it.

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Teaser

 

 

MeetTheAuthor

FACEBOOK / GOODREADS / WEBSITE / TWITTER

Ashley Cassidy is an avid reader with a lifelong passion for writing, who has decided to share her love of writing with the world. Though she reads all genres, her favorite books are romance novels with happy endings.
When she’s not reading or writing, Ashley can be found spending time with her family, enjoying the outdoors, and sipping on a cup of coffee.

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Life is Like a Game of Football (The One & Only by Emily Giffin)

Posted in Books I love, Releasing Now Book Addicts, Review Post by

I am a sports fan. Maybe not your traditional one, but I’m still a fan tried and true. I’ve participated in sports my entire life, and I thoroughly enjoy watching a good sporting event. (Especially baseball…Go Nats!)

I also happen to be a big Emily Giffin fan.

Never did I think that my fanaticism for both would combine to make for such a captivating reading experience. But that’s exactly what I got with Giffin’s newest novel, The One & Only. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read a book that created and captured the magic of sports along with building some seriously engrossing and engaging characters along the ride.

The One & Only is a book about a lot of things. It’s about love. It’s about friendship. It’s about discovering what you truly desire. It’s about blinding passion for so many things. It also happens to be about sports, and the magic and loyalty that sports create.SONY DSC

This book presents a plethora of wonderful characters, but is told from the perspective of Shea, a woman who’s lived in the small town of Walker, Texas her entire life. She grew up there, went to school there, and even began working for the University after college. To say that Walker University football is her life is a pretty big understatement. She’s a diehard fan, and is as loyal as the days are long.  She’s grown up there with her oldest and best friend Lucy, the daughter of the College’s legendary football coach, Coach Carr.

This book has a serious Friday Night Lights feel to it. The world of Walker revolves around football. It’s the engine that keeps that town and its inhabitants going in more ways than one, and it’s what brings every one of these truly authentic characters together. But this book isn’t just about football (though football does play an extremely important role in many ways), it’s about so many more things…

Now I’ve read and absolutely loved all of Emily Giffin’s book, but I have to say this one set the bar on a whole new level. What I absolutely loved in The One & Only:

  • The out of this freaking world build up. I’m not going to reveal specifics, but let me tell you I could feel the buildup and tension growing with every page, and it was magnificent. In all honesty the whole book is a grand buildup to so many different things, and I constantly found myself waiting for the moments when that tension would finally come to ahead. And those moments coupled with the fanfreakingtastic build up took my breath away.
  • The true capture of the essence of sports. Emily Giffin did a phenomenal job of creating the true essence of sports, and what it means to be a sports fan. She made it so easy to understand the world of Walker University football because she beautifully captured a town and its people that breathes sports. The loyalty, the passion, and the magic of sports is all there. It’s also chalk full of sports references and metaphors that make so much sense individually and with the story as a whole.
  • The flow. This book just flowed. It covers a span of time easily, with no gaps, while it presents a seamless story that just moves. It’s extremely easy to read and you’re going to get absorbed into instantly.
  • The theme of deciding what feels right, what you want, and what you need. Shea is at a point in her life where she needs to decide what she’s looking for in her life. Up until now she’s made choices without giving anything a second thought. (Kind of the easy way out.) But the events in The One & Only force Shea to reexamine things. She’s got to decide what she wants and what she needs, and what she’s gonna fight for, because it’s time for her to step up to the field and play. The choices Shea makes thrust these characters into some interesting predicaments, and that was ridiculously enthralling in the best possible way.
  • Real human beings with real human feelings. All of Emily Giffin’s novels have this characteristic, but The One & Only has it in spades. All of its characters are real, with real feelings, thoughts, and actions. That’s what makes them all wholly believable, engaging, and easy to connect to in the blink of an eye. They’re all just real, and that’s what I adored about them all. (Especially Miller!)
  • The bond of friendship. Shea and Lucy have a friendship that has lasted decades. Reading about their friendship was refreshing, and it added another fantastic layer. One of Emily Giffin’s strong suits in writing is female friendship, and that rings true here yet again.

    I actually had the awesome opportunity to meet Emily Giffin with one of my best friends. (And yes, my eyes are definitely 89% closed, but I don't care!)

    I actually had the awesome opportunity to meet Emily Giffin with one of my best friends. (And yes, my eyes are definitely 89% closed, but I don’t care!)

  • The magic. There is magic in this book. Not literally, but there is a true sense of magic flowing its way through this book and its characters. It’s there with every detailed mention of sports that’s beautifully created, and it’s there with the many relationships being built and examined in this book. That magic makes this book, and you will feel it from beginning to end.
  • We’re down to Earth here. All of these characters are down to earth in the best possible way. It all adds to that realness thing, and it makes it feel utterly real and believable.
  • Shea’s journey. Shea goes on one hell of a journey full of highs and lows. She goes through a ton of self-discovery to find out what it is that she wants to do and have with her life. She makes mistakes and has missteps over the course of this self-discovery, but that’s what makes her, her. Shea ends up in some pretty unexpected places and in some events that were just awe inspiring, but that’s what makes this book what it is. The One & Only is really about Shea and her journey to find something to believe in within herself and the world around her. And it’s gonna leave you speechless with one hell of a book hangover.

I have to say this may be my favorite of Emily Giffin’s books to date. It’s different than the rest, and I think that’s what makes it my personal favorite and what sets it apart.

Don’t get me wrong, the book is full of what makes all of her novels great, but this one pushes the boundaries. It makes you think, it makes you feel, and it makes you really wonder where the journey of this book will take you. Enjoy that journey, because that’s not something that happens every time you open a book.

I honestly don’t think I could recommend The One & Only or any of Giffin’s other booksto you enough. Reading this book will give you a seriously remarkable reading experience. It’s got truly believable characters that you’re going to eat up and adore, it’s got a world you’ll be able to fully sink into by about page 4, it’s got some serious plot with highs and lows that’ll take your breath away, it’s got the dynamics of love and friendship that make this novel, and in the end you’ll be oh so glad you had the chance to experience it all.

You’re really missing out if you pass this one up. So don’t be a sore loser, and check it out today.

(Oh, and if you’re real curious about how the title of this post ties into the book, you’ll just have to read the damn book to find out….)

Happy Reading!

To learn more about Emily Giffin and her books, check out the following links:

Website               Goodreads          Facebook            Twitter

 

I’m a Giver (22 Books Recommended Just For You)

Posted in Books I love by

In less than 72 hours I will end my 22nd year and begin my 23rd. Eeek!! So as to celebrate this not so momentous occasion, I am giving back to you my fellow book addicts at The Never Ending Book Basket.when-it-comes-to-advice-i-m-a-giver-170

What can I say, I’m a giver.

So how am I going to give back on here, you ask?

Well we all know I love to recommend books until the cows come home, so in honor of that sense of giving I am composing a list of 22 books that I HIGHLY recommend you read. I picked 22 since I am officially “ending” my 22nd year. (How cyclical, right?)

Yeah, I know I’m weird. Get over it.

Some of these books I’ve blogged about on here, and some I read well before I started this blog thing, but you need to read all of them ASAP. No joke. (If you look closely, you may even see a few of these books in the cover image for this blog…) This list represents a pretty wide range of books. It’s a little all over the place, but so am I, so it works.

And don’t let my horridly brief descriptions of each one deter you from these books. They are all oh so very worth a read!

(Be sure to click on the titles and authors in the list because they’ll take you to the Goodreads page for the book and the authors’ websites respectively. Click away!)

22 Books You Have Got to Read Today: (In no particular order…)

  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: A coming of age story that I’ve loved since I was in high school. It truly is one of the best, and I will defend that this book isn’t a depressing one until the day I die.

    Books by Sarah Pekkanen

    Books by Sarah Pekkanen

  • Falling Home by Karen White: This one’s set in the south, has tons of family drama, and it’ll suck you in right away with its plethora of engaging southern charmers.
  • These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen: I’ve never connected to a book so personally as this one that follows 3 young women as their lives begin to intertwine while they build a friendship with one another. (It’s also got some multiple perspectives!!)
  • The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: This book is worth all the hype. I read it in one sitting, and my cheeks hurt from how much I was smiling throughout its reading. Literally.
  • 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher: This book is unlike any other book I’ve ever read. It follows Clay who is listening to a recording of 13 reasons why his classmate Hannah took her own life. It’s extremely emotional and it all connects in some really interesting ways.
  • On My Knees by Meredith Wild: Get ready for an emotional roller coaster full of some serious ups and downs that will tear you apart and put you back together all in the same breath. You’ll feel it in your core, and you’ll love it.
  • I Couldn’t Love You More by Jillian Medoff: A moving story of a blended family full of some seriously quirky and unique characters. This one also takes a major turn in the middle that you will NOT see coming, but will seriously love.
  • The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom: I heart me some Mitch Albom books something fierce. This one was particularly touching, and it just makes you feel like there’s some kind of purpose to all of this madness that we call life.
  • East of Eden by John Steinbeck: Two families. Multiple generations of turmoil. Good and evil. It’s all there and more in East of Eden.
  • Such a Pretty Face by Cathy Lamb: Stevie Barret has just had a major life change. She just lost over half her body weight, and is discovering that she’s now got to face what led her to this point in her life. And what led her there is hugely raw, and will make you adore Stevie and all her vulnerability.
  • Pieces of Perfect by Elizabeth Hayley: You gotta love a love triangle. Add in a heavy dose of sarcasm and you got Lily, Adam, and Max, and their overall awesomeness. I’m sworn to not reveal who I root for, but rest assured this one will suck you in until you figure out who you want to root for.

    Books by Emily Giffin

    Books by Emily Giffin

  • Where We Belong by Emily Giffin: I adore all of Emily Giffin’s book, but this one truly stands out. It’s got a love story, mixed in with secrets and tons of OMG moments. And there’s a gorgeous character named Conrad who loves the Great Gatsby, so there’s that too. 🙂
  • Bared to You by Sylvia Day: Two extremely dynamic characters with some very rough pasts come together in this book and it’s electric. You can’t help but feel the heat, and you’ll just eat up some Gideon Cross.
  • The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley: One of the most emotionally charged books I have EVER read, and pegs a question: What would you do? This book will make you wonder how you’d answer that very question and more.
  • Still Missing by Chevy Stevens: Tons of mystery, some seriously jaw dropping moments, and a main character with some serious flaws. This one was initially out of my comfort zone, but I loved it, and am so glad I took a chance on it.
  • Fade In by M. Mabie: This one is a new contemporary romance book that coupled a truly fantastic love story with tons of quick witted banter from some seriously engaging characters. I’m sold, and I know you will be too!
  • Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: Melinda Sordino is a character I will never forget. She begins her freshman year of high school rougher than most for a lot of reasons, and getting to read her story and seeing her evolve is simply moving.
  • This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper: This book is partially responsible for my love of Yiddish terms. It’ll have you loving this crazy ass family as they come together to sit shivah together after the passing of a family member in this truly hysterical book that personifies what it means to have an out there family.
  • Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver: Living the day you die over and over again is what you’ll find in this one. It’s a rougher version of groundhog’s day, but it really is something.

    A little Meredith Wild and Elizabeth Hayley...

    A little Meredith Wild and Elizabeth Hayley…

  • These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf : This one was another leap outside of my typical comfort zone. Told in multiple perspectives, each chapter is a piece to the overall puzzle that’ll leave you guessing until the very end.
  • All You Could Ask For by Mike Greenberg: Cancer. It’s something we’ve all seen in some way, and this book focuses on 3 very different women and how come together in the face of something they never wanted or expected to have.
  • Two Kisses for Maddie by Matt Logelin: On the day Matthew Logelin’s daughter Maddie was born his wife passed away suddenly. This book follows the first year of Maddie’s life, and how they moved through that year together. I told myself I wouldn’t cry reading this book, and I was successful until the very last page.

And one more for good measure…

  • The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch: I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with so many fantastic messages than this one. Its chalk full of them, and once you read this book and embrace its message, you will be better for it. Trust me.

So there you have it. My gift to you. A list of 23 books you should plan on discovering today.

A little Perks of Being a Wallflower love...

A little Perks of Being a Wallflower love…

They are all out of this world for very different and distinct reasons, and while I could never pick one favorite book, rest assured that all of the books listed above would make my list of favorites any day of the week.

Now go off and enter the wonderful world of any of these books.

Ready, set, go!

p.s. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to enter to win a FREE SIGNED copy of Sarah Pekkanen’s newest book by clicking the following link:

http://tinyurl.com/loj7sm9

(I’m trying to spread all of the book love I can, so be sure to enter!)

 

Releasing Now: Inflame

Posted in Releasing Now Book Addicts by

Are you ready for a spicy new read just in time for these warm spring nights? Well be ready to feel the heat book addicts with Inflame by Tessa Teevan!

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Title: Inflame (Explosive #3)

Author: Tessa Teevan

Release Date: May 12, 2014 (That’s TODAY people!)

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Synopsis:

Easy going soldier Kale Montgomery, a self-proclaimed ladies man, has no plans of settling down, especially not with his best friend- the sexy, sassy schoolteacher Lucy Dawson. Their relationship, though unconventional, is mutually beneficial, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Friends with benefits? Casual lovers? Whatever you want to call it, they’re having fun, in and out of bed, and to them, that’s all that matters. At least that’s what they think, but how long can you spend in someone’s bed before you find they’re also infiltrating your heart?
As their casual fling with no strings attached progresses, it’s not long before they realize they’re both in way over their heads. One fateful night changes their lives forever in ways they could never have imagined, giving them the push to finally admit that maybe, just maybe they want more than they’ve let on. Their mutual attraction rapidly intensifies as it shifts from burning lust to unrelenting want, need, and possibly even love. Suddenly the idea of settling down doesn’t seem so bad. In fact, it sounds pretty damn perfect.
Just when things seem to be falling into place, past pain and renewed insecurities rise to the surface and threaten to smother the flames of their passionate relationship, reminding them both why they’ve always kept the idea of love at arm’s length. Will Kale and Lucy realize that what they’ve been waiting for is each other, or will the blazing whirlwind of their feelings burn out too quickly, causing it to all go up in smoke?

 

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 Excerpt:

She looks me over, and I love the fact that she’s checking me out. I don’t know why I’m so drawn to her, but I am, and I want to get to know her better, at least where the bedroom’s concerned. Eventually, she extends her hand, and I give a firm handshake, the kind she wanted when we first met. “Please, Kale, call me Lucy.”
Shaking her hand, I say it out loud. “Lucy. I like it.”
“That’s fortunate since I’m stuck with it. Okay, Montgomery. As much as I love flirting with a hot ass soldier in the parking lot of an elementary school, I’ve got to get going. Maybe I’ll see you around?”
She starts to walk away, but I grab her hand, reeling her back in. I’m not ready for her to go, yet I don’t want to seem like some crazy stalker guy.
“Can I see you again? You know, outside of an elementary school?” I ask, my eyes bearing down into hers, begging for her to say yes.
She hesitates, and I’m afraid she’s about to say no when she finally responds. “I don’t date. I’m not looking for anything serious, so if that’s what you’re looking for, I’m the wrong girl.”
My cock practically sings at her words. A no strings attached relationship with a hot teacher right before I deploy? I couldn’t have asked for better luck.
“I don’t do relationships, either, Lucy. I just want to get to know you and to have some fun. No feelings, no strings, no nothing,” I tell her, and watch as a look of relief washes over her.
She starts digging in her purse and I watch as she scribbles something on a piece of paper before hanging it to me. “Number’s right there. Call me when you’re feeling adventurous,” she says. Before I can say anything, she spins around and swiftly walks away, leaving me to wonder just how adventurous she can be.

Buy the Book:

(And be sure to check out Ignite and Incinerate also by Tessa Teevan! They’re gonna light you on fire!)

Buy Links:

Inflame (Explosive #3)

Amazon              Nook               Amazon UK               Goodreads

Incinerate (Explosive#2)

Amazon              Nook               Amazon UK               Goodreads

Ignite (Explosive #1)

Amazon              Nook               Amazon UK               Goodreads

About the Author:

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I’m a twenty six year old book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and have been married to my own book boyfriend for over seven years. We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats.
If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.

Connect with Tessa:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Goodreads

Giveaway:

(Be sure to click the link to enter! YOU could win books!!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So what are you waiting for? Check out Inflame and the fabulous Tessa Teevan today! I’ve read both Ignite and Incinerate, and if Inflame is anything like those two fantastic books, then you’ll be feeling the heat and loving it in no time.

So don’t you dare dilly dally on this one!

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love p

 

On My Knees

Posted in Books I love, Review Post by

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On My Knees by Meredith Wild

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Purchase Links:

      Amazon US        Google Play       Barnes & Noble       I Books              Amazon Paperback          KOBO             Autographed Books

Synopsis:

Haunted by the responsibility of caring for her troubled family, Maya Jacobs gave the only answer she could when Cameron asked her to marry him. Years later, entrenched in a soulless professional routine, she distracts herself from the lingering regret of her decision with a “work hard, play hard” lifestyle that guarantees no man will ever find his way into her heart again.
Cameron Bridge has spent the past five years married to the military, trying to escape the painful memory of losing Maya. After fighting his own war in the desert, he starts a new life in New York City, with his siblings, Olivia and Darren, by his side.
When fate brings Maya back to him in the heart of a city filled with its own hopes and shadows, can Cameron find the girl he once loved in the woman she’s become?

About the Author:

Meredith Wild is a USA Today and international bestselling author of erotic romance. She lives in Boston with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing or interacting with fans, she’s working with high-tech startups.

Meredith WildSocial Links:

                   Facebook            Twitter            Goodreads        

  Instagram            Pinterest

My Review & Rating:

Now I had the pleasure of reading On My Knees before its release, and it’s pretty safe to say that I’m pretty head over heels for this book. At The Never Ending Book Basket I tend to use my crazy ass tendencies to list the reasons of why I loved a book. Today is no different, but I’m going to try to reign it in a smidge because I could seriously go on and on about how much I loved this book. Think I’m merely joking? Go ask the author how many pages of “happy” notes I sent her after beta reading the book… It was kind of ridiculous.
Let me preface this review by letting you in on a not so little secret: I am a BIG Meredith Wild fan. I’ve read all her books (possibly more than once…), I’m on her street team, Team Wild, and I pretty much tell anyone who is breathing and standing upright to read her books.
Suffice to say, I like the Kool Aide she’s selling. 🙂
But what I really want you to know this very instant, is that this review will not do On My Knees or Meredith Wild as much justice as they both deserve. It just won’t be good enough. This book and its author are just that extraordinary that my words are going to pale in comparison. But don’t you worry your pretty little head one bit because I’m still going to let you know what I thought of On My Knees. (You were worried, weren’t you?)
On My Knees was visceral, extremely vulnerable, and raw in many instances. It had moments that will break your heart and put you back together all in the same breath, and it was magnificently sweet in the way all us lovers of love stories will just simply love. (Can you tell I like the word love?)
So staying true to my OCD form, here is what I truly adored about On My Knees:
  • You hit the ground running. This book jumps feet first into this couple, all their feelings, and all their extremely raw emotions. It’s wham bam thank you mam from the get go, so be ready to get sucked into it all. You will feel Maya and Cameron from the very beginning, and you won’t stop feeling with them until you’re done on that very last page.
  • The repercussions of choice. In the beginning a choice is made, and both Cameron and Maya are still presently reeling from the repercussions of that choice. Those repercussions effect each of them differently, but affect them they do. The reasons for that choice are thoughtfully explained and presented over the course of the story, as Maya and Cameron are presented with another chance with at being together. Seeing those repercussions up close and personal in the present tense makes for a truly thoughtful and enthralling story in On My Knees.
  • Maya’s got some chutzpah. Maya is who she is, and she’s got some serious backbone. She is unapologetic in a lot of ways, and she completely owns that. Even though sometimes I wanted to shake her because she was being so difficult, I simply adored her. I felt for her from beginning to end, and I thought her character development was SPECTACULAR. It felt extremely well-paced, never too fast or too slow. Just right. Maya’s vulnerability comes across beautifully, and it’s easy to understand why she feels, thinks, and acts the way she does. Maya also has a past that gets revealed over the course of the story, and I felt that these revelations came across wonderfully, and helped really explain why the chips fell the way they did.
  • Cameron’s making my heart melt. Cameron was just a good guy. He is honest from the get go, and he’s not afraid to put it all out there. He puts his vulnerability on display, and I liked that he was just willing to go there. He recognized his mistakes and he owned them, which took a lot in my opinion. He knew when he fucked up, and boy did he try to make up for the choices he made. Cameron is also possessive of Maya in a way that is endearing, yet doesn’t make you want to call the cops. It was balanced well, and it fit his character exponentially. He was stubborn as all get out,  but he never stopped trying and his feelings were truly  his. Hence why he just made my heart melt throughout the whole book. He’s also really good looking, so there’s that too…
  • Team Eli all the way! This book had a ton of supporting characters that I just wanted to eat up, but one kind of stuck with me. That was Eli. He is a voice of reason in this book. He also added some much loved light heartedness at points in the story, and best of all he doesn’t take any bullshit, and I like that something fierce.
  • The chemistry between Cameron and Maya. Get your fans ready because Cameron and Maya have a spark that flies off the page in spades. It’s palpable at times, and you will feel their connection to one another as if it were you yourself feeling those things. How that connection and spark changes, evolves, and grows over the story also makes for something pretty darn lovely too.
  • The supporting characters that round it all out. Now I may have a favorite (cough cough Eli) but this book has some supporting characters that will blow you out of the water. At times they add the humor that you didn’t even know you needed, the drama you love, and the clarity our two main love birds kind of lack when they’re busy with their heads up their butts. (In their defense though, they do have a lot of baggage within their past and present, so it’s easy to see how they could get caught up in it all.) Each of these characters add their own flavor that fits seamlessly in with what is happening with Maya and Cameron. They all work together like very intricate pieces of a seriously well thought out and developed puzzle.
  • More emotion than you can shake a stick at. This book will run the gamut on your emotions. It is chalk full of gut wrenching ups and downs that will leave you breathless, laughing, smiling like a fool, melting into puddles of emotion, fanning yourself repeatedly, and it’s just honestly outstanding. The level and range of emotion makes the story what it is, and it honestly sets it apart from other books I’ve read. Do not doubt that you will feel every single emotion with every fiber of your body.
  • Feel the balance. This is probably too simple a word to describe this book, but it honestly fits the book like a glove. Every aspect works together to tell a story of pain, some very raw and visceral emotion, some serious stubbornness, transformation, healing, and of course, an overwhelming sense of love. This story follows Maya and Cameron as they try to find, build, and cross the bridge from where they were to where they actually want to be. Their journey is wholly theirs, and makes for an extremely engaging story that in the end will leave you feeling extremely balanced, and extremely in love with these two majorly enthralling characters.
Now here on The Never Ending Book Basket I typically don’t give ratings within my reviews of books. Sure I give books ratings on other sites that I post reviews to, but I’ve never put a rating within one of my posts because it just wasn’t part of my shtick. (Those ratings are typically on a 1 to 5 star scale.) Well that’s about to change. Like right now.

So if you ask me to rate On My Knees using that scale I’d have to give it:

5 out of this world stars

To say that I recommend this book to you is like the understatement of the century right now. If I could I would give this book so many more stars on that same scale. It is a truly magnificent book that will have you on your knees with love in no time. This book will capture you in right from the beginning, and you will have a truly phenomenal and out of this world reading experience as you see Maya and Cameron attempt to put themselves back together.  Believe me, its impossible to resist, and you’re just going to love every single piece of this story.

Teaser:

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Giveaway: (Be sure to click to enter. YOU could win a copy of On My Knees!)

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Links Again: (Be sure to check out Meredith Wild and On My Knees TODAY!) 

Purchase Links:

Amazon US        Google Play       Barnes & Noble          I Books        Amazon Paperback          KOBO             Autographed Books

Social Links:

Facebook            Twitter            Goodreads

  Instagram            Pinterest

Don’t Judge a Book By Its Movie

Posted in All The Mumbo Jumbo, Releasing Now Book Addicts by

Now that we’ve said Good Riddance, let’s get down to some book talking business.

We all know the old adage don’t judge a book by its cover.

In laments terms, don’t make assumptions based solely upon how something looks. Now this saying is commonly applied to many facts of life, but a certain spin on it is one I think most book addicts can appreciate and understand.

Don’t judge a book by its movie.

We’ve all seen this fun little tidbit on Pinterest or other internet sites declaring to all those reading that they shouldn’t judge the books they might want to read based on the movies they helped create.

bac2dbe96eafdff48f07d08bafa3fd77Let’s face it. Film adaptations of books have been happening for years, and they are here to say. (I love that, but something tells me not everyone agrees with me on that particular thought.)

You see movie adaptations of books are a pretty sticky situation. And that’s putting it really lightly. They tend to range from extremely well loved, to sickeningly bad, to everything in between.

I think it’s really hard to take a book and make it into a film that does the book justice. This effort is valiantly attempted many times a year in every movie season, yet sadly many of these adaptations leave us feeling a bit down and disappointed or severely pissed off.

They always leave something we had to see out. Or we don’t like the actor/actress they picked to play a character we just adored. The couch in a particular scene could be a different color than in the book. (I am not even joking on that last one. I have heard people complain about that very thing many times before….)

photo credit:eaglesdiwaniya.wordpress.com

photo credit:eaglesdiwaniya.wordpress.com

Now I’ve reviewed some film adaptations of books on here before, and I tend to see these adaptations in a different light than most. Maybe I’m a bit of an optimist, but I always tend to give these films the benefit of the doubt. I realize movies are different than books, and as much as we’d all love to sit through a 6 hour movie that left nothing out, that just doesn’t work. (Seriously people, stop asking for that! It ain’t gonna happen.)

I’ve read my fair share of books that have been turned into films. More than I can honestly count. Some books I read before the film, some I even read after, but suffice to say, I’ve been doing this whole book to film thing since I became a book addict. Basically since birth.

So what brought on this discussion today at The Never Ending Book Basket?

I recently saw a new film based on a hugely bestselling young adult series. The film was really well done in my opinion. It was entertaining as hell. It made me laugh, my breath caught a few times at the action and events, and it had some characters I connected with and liked. Overall it was a good film adaptation that was truly engaging to watch and experience.

Here’s the thing though: I haven’t read any of the books in this series. Not one.

I am not kidding you when I say I have picked up the first book in this series at least 50 times over the last couple of years since its release. As you know I constantly seek out books in multiple locations, and this book has been everywhere. Each time I pass it by in the aisle, it calls to me.

I’ve picked it up. Read the back cover. Even read the first page. Yet each time I’ve put it right back onto the shelf without even adding it to my to be read list.

It just never caught my eye enough to make me want to read it, or buy it, or even add it to that list. What can I say? I am a self-proclaimed book snob.

So I must say I found it pretty interesting and surprising that after seeing the film adaptation of this highly loved book, I actually wanted to read it. I mean that’s kind of backwards for me. I’m the type of person who typically reads the book well before the movie comes out if I’m aware it exists. Or if I see a movie and find out it’s a book after watching the film, I’ll promptly read it.

But rarely have I ever knowingly saw a film based on a book series that I intentionally didn’t read or wasn’t 100% sure on.

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

I kid you not, I said those very words to my best friend as we left the movie theater. And I couldn’t help but wonder what had changed to make me want to suddenly read this series.

It’s not as if I didn’t know the premise of these books before I saw the movie. I also knew the actors and actresses they chose to portray characters, and I was sold there. (Hello, Fitzgerald Grant the President of the United States from Scandal is in this movie. How can you not love that?!) I also knew many other people loved them, so it’s not as if this book was for singular tastes.

So what changed?

I honestly don’t think I have an answer to that question. Maybe seeing the film made the story come alive more so than it had before just from those few pages I’d read. Maybe it made me take a second or fifty first look at the books. Maybe I just became less of a book snob. (Don’t hold out hope on that one!)

Whatever the reasoning was for my change of heart, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was one of the few people out there that looks at books time and time again, but don’t actually decide to read them until the movie is out.

So besides writing this blog post and sharing all my thoughts on this topic, I want to know what you think:

Have you ever done this, and felt this way after seeing a film adaptation of a book? Has a film adaptation of a book actually gotten you to read a book or series?

I know I’m not the only one out there, so feel free to share! I can’t wait to hear from you!

Oh, and if you’re sitting there wondering if I bought the books after seeing the film. Well let’s just say my checking account decreased in amount just a smidge because I may or may not have just bought the entire series…

Here’s hoping that was $40 well spent.

To see my other posts on film adaptations click the following links:

Fifty Shades of Grey

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

You Had Me At The Sarcasm (Picking Up the Pieces)

Posted in Books I love, Review Post by

Welcome back to book addiction central. I hope time has found you well, and has provided plenty of fabulous books for you to sink your teeth into.

Today at The Never Ending Book Basket, we’re gonna focus in on one of the books I have recently devoured. (Can you tell I am writing this blog post right before dinner based on all the eating references?)

I am going to start this post off a little differently than I normally do. You all know the mumbo jumbo by now, and how my posts are typically written. I usually start off with some witty opening introducing the book, and then dive right into what I loved about it.

The not so friendly warning....

The not so friendly warning in Picking Up the Pieces….

Here’s the thing about this book though:

  1. It’s a follow up to another book that you HAVE got to read before this one. (You know that whole don’t put the cart before the horse thing…)
  2. It’s got a beyond huge ending that I can’t even hint at a smidge because it would ruin all of the epic build up in this book and its predecessor.
  3. The authors of this book have promised to hunt down anyone who spoils the way all the shit goes down in the book. (You think I’m joking? I’m not. It’s in the god damned book, and call me crazy, but I kind of really believe them.)

So what does all this mean for my review of this book?

I am going to have to reign it in big time to not reveal anything in any way, or hint at my allegiances to certain characters. (And believe me, I have them!) I am also going to focus more generally on some plot aspects because this is a follow up to another book that I don’t want to ruin for you.

It’ll be a challenge to not word vomit all over this review, but god knows I’m stubborn as hell, so let’s go!

Picking Up the Pieces by Elizabeth Hayley (photo credit: I "borrowed" this from their website elizabethhayley.blogspot.com)

Picking Up the Pieces by Elizabeth Hayley  (photo credit: I “borrowed” this from their website.)

Without further ado, let me introduce you to Picking Up the Pieces by Elizabeth Hayley.

Picking Up the Pieces is a follow up novel to Pieces of Perfect. (I read that book before I created this lovely little blog, so feel free to check out my review of that book on Goodreads.) Let me give you the low down on what’s kind of going on in this book and its predecessor: You see, there’s a love triangle. And not one of those craptastic love triangles that clearly spells out what the ultimate choice will be at the end, when you’re only like 45 pages into it. (Cough, Twilight, cough)

This is an honest to god love triangle with 3 characters who mean business. They’re also full of real world flaws and complications, so you know I absolutely adore them through and through.

In the infamous words of my favorite ridiculously bad game show, it’s time to come on down and meet the triangular counterparts that make up Picking Up the Pieces. (Wahoo!)

  • Lily: Lily is kind of hard to describe because she’s got a lot of levels to her. But that’s why I absolutely loved her, because it wasn’t necessarily all good under the hood, and that girl knew it and owned it. (Even if it took her a bit of time to get there.) Having made some pretty bad decisions lately, Lily is trying to start over. She realizes the mistakes she’s made, and she wants to be better. Lily goes through a shit ton of introspection over both books, but in Picking Up the Pieces she really hits it out of the park, and her character development is out of this world phenomenal. She’s also one lucky S.O.B. because she’s got two wholly different gentleman callers to choose from.
  • Adam: Adam is the good guy you just fall in love with. From the get go he pours everything into his relationship with Lily. He feels it all, and he just really tries. He’s romantic. He says the right things. He does the right things. He’s just right, even when he’s wrong. Adam is also a single father raising his daughter, making him pretty damn compassionate and endearing. Honestly, I dare you to not love his character. Good fucking luck. (He’s got some serious candle house potential.)
  • Max: Max is the ultimate bad boy that’ll make you schvitz in the best possible way. He’s a former professional NHL player who screams bad decisions and sex appeal. He meets Lily in a very memorable way, and their relationship has some serious ups and downs. To put it bluntly Max is an asshole. He’s rude and frank, a little bit damaged, and he does some truly questionable things. Like all the time. But through all the bs, he really tries. He puts what he thinks and feels out there, and you can’t help but love his vulnerability. Even when he’s bad, he’s just oh so good.

So those are the unique and wholly real counterparts to our love triangle. As you can see, Lily faces a choice in this book. It’s basically time to put up or shut up. She has to decide which one of these guys is for her, and who’s going to be the one she seeks the happily ever after with.

Think it’s an easy choice? As if. Like I said before, the buildup in this book is epic, and you will be guessing at who she picks until the very end.

What was truly perfect about this book:

  • The multiple perspectives. It’s told in all 3 characters perspectives, and that just works seriously well for the book. No further explanation is necessary.
  • The triangular counterparts. I seriously adored Lily, Adam, and Max for who they were. They were each different, but oh so easy to just love. All of these characters have their flaws that they are each coming to terms with, and you just can’t help but root for them. They just rock, and that’s even true when they have their heads up their asses.
  • You had me at the sarcasm. This book and its characters ooze a little bit of sarcasm. And when I say a little bit, I mean that it’s leaping off the page in bounds. The banter and one liners in this book (and all of the other books by Elizabeth Hayley) had me cracking up out loud numerous times. I couldn’t stop laughing, and that just made the book all the better.
  • The messy. This book has a love triangle in it, so of course it’s a tad messy when these 3 dynamic characters come together. But that “messy” makes it magnificent. It makes it authentic and chaotic and dysfunctional and ridiculous at times, but it works because that’s just how it is.

    Pieces of Perfect (Where it all begins...)

    Pieces of Perfect (Where it all begins…) photo credit: authorelizabethayley.BlogSpot.com

  • The moments of reason. Putting all the humor aside, this book is full of moments of reason from not only the triangular counterparts, but also from the cast of merry men and women that make up the spectacular supporting characters. These moments of true reason and clarity show a remarkable side to this book, and demonstrates what happens when you look at yourself, and make some pretty hard and defining choices.
  • The ending. I can’t and won’t tell you how it all ends. That shit don’t fly. But just know, the ending was EXACTLY what I hoped for, and it just blew it out of the water. It also makes the gut wrenching build up so much more worth it, because without all that build up, the ending wouldn’t have felt as hard fought and sweet as it was.
  • The hot and spicy. This book has a lot of hot and spicy, hanky panky, the dirty deed, or whatever else you might call it. The hot and spicy was just enough, and added another level of excitement (No pun intended) to the already extremely engaging story.
  • Amanda Bishop. I couldn’t not throw in my favorite Sex Snob into my love of this book. Amanda is her own delicious can of worms, and she’s my favorite supporting act in this book. She’s a hysterical voice of reason. She’s out there, and she knows it, and god do I love it.
  • The level of growth. Each and every character residing in the story grows and changes over the course of the book. Some changes are monumental, others more subtle. In the end though, they all just keep changing and growing. Nothing is stagnate, and that just keeps it all moving in a thoughtful and seriously engaging way.

I could continue this list for pages, but I am going to stop now. I am reigning it in…

Suffice to say Picking Up the Pieces was an extraordinary book to read, and it made for a fabulous reading experience I won’t soon forget. The characters are hilarious, authentic, raw, emotional, frank, wonderful, and they just honestly hit it out of the park. The story itself comes off the page, and you feel it through and through. It’s messy, and complicated, and dysfunctional, but trust me that’s what makes it so incredible.

All the magnificent aspects of this book make for an exceptional read. You’ll be reeling until the very end, but like I said, the buildup, the turmoil, and all the ups and downs make the after so much more worth it.

So do yourself a god damned favor, and check out every single book by Elizabeth Hayley starting with Pieces of Perfect. (Eventually you’ll get to Picking Up the Pieces, and you’ll understand this review a smidge more. I hope.)

This writing duo is also one that’ll charm your ass off in spades, so go find them. Now.

To learn more about Elizabeth Hayley and their books check out the following links:

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Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces #2)
Perfectly Ever After (Pieces#3)