Trust In Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn) +GIVEAWAY

Trust In Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn)
Release Date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: William Morrow Impulse
Pages: 352
Series: Wait For You #1.5
Review Source: Edelweiss

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
It’s Wait for You as you’ve never seen it. Trust in Me lets you in on Cam’s side of the #1 New York Times Bestselling story.

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life – literally – he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam’s not ready to give up. He can’t get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head.

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?

My Thoughts:
Trust In Me has been described as a novella, but I actually found it comparable in length to a novel. It re-tells a lot of the story from Wait for You in Cam's POV, as well as providing readers with some additional scenes. Re-telling stories from a different perspective seems to be the new trend, and I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it. On the one hand I really liked hearing from Cam, and of course I appreciated the new scenes that we hadn’t seen from Avery’s viewpoint. But on the other hand I’m not sure if I like reading the same story over again, just with a few variations. Thankfully I hadn’t read Wait For You since its release week, so I didn’t remember every single detail clearly.

What’s interesting about Trust In Me is that because we’re not inside Avery’s head we don’t really get to see many good aspects of her. She actually treats Cam incredibly badly, so we get that without the sympathy of knowing her secrets. Reading from Cam's perspective I was actually surprised that he put up with Avery or liked her at all. It’s interesting how a different perspective can make you question those things.

Overall this is the story of a really good guy. I love how much Cam cares for his family, especially his sister, and I also liked seeing his friendships with Jase and Ollie. Seeing these relationships from Cam’s POV was really the highlight for me. If you’re a super-fan of JLA or this series then I’d definitely recommend checking out Trust In Me, but if you’re just looking for a good story I’d say check out the original book (Wait For You) and/or wait for the next installment in the series.

The Cover:
Like!

Rating:
[Strong 3/5]

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

About Jennifer:
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russel Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes Young Adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

Where to find Jennifer:
Website | Twitter | Facebook

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Playing Dirty by Jennifer Echols

Playing Dirty by Jennifer Echols
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Books
Pages: 448
Series: Stargazer #2
Review Source: Edelweiss

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
A public relations expert tries to prevent the breakup of a raucous country band and corral their wild—and very sexy—lead singer in book 2 of the Stargazer Series.

As an expert in public relations crisis management—that is, babysitter to the stars—Sarah Seville just spent nine months in Rio trying to keep rock singer Nine Lives out of jail long enough to record his new album…and barely succeeded. Now she needs a triumphant success so she can keep the Manhattan-based job she loves. Trouble is, her new assignment is to travel to Alabama to prevent the breakup of the raucous country band The Cheatin’ Hearts, headed by sexy Quentin Cox. As she edges closer to Quentin, she discovers layers of secrets. It seems Quentin is taking the spin doctor for a spin.

The Cheatin’ Hearts have stayed on top of the charts two years following three rules. Rule One, no drugs. Rule Two, no sex with other band members. Rule Three, no sex with record company spies. Quentin figures he’d better follow the rules, because he made them. And because if you break a rule, you’re out of the band. But he can’t resist the record company’s beautiful PR agent, and inevitably he breaks Rule Three with hot Sarah Seville. As he falls for her, he finds out that she has plenty of secrets of her own, and one of them comes knocking on her door: what really happened to her in Rio.

My Thoughts:
I definitely liked the first book of this series (Star Crossed), but I loved this one. Usually I don’t like books where the main characters are lying to one another, but something about Sarah and Quentin was just perfect, even when they aren't being 100% truthful with one another.

There are such crazy antics going on in this book (drugged up past clients going after our heroine, massive lies within the Cheatin’ Hearts, etc) that it could have easily felt way over the top. Thankfully it didn't feel that way at all. All the elements came together and just worked so well, telling a crazy story, but an awesome one too.

I loved how Quentin wanted to appear one way to the public, and even to Sarah, but that he was so different underneath. The guy he really was was amazing, and I so enjoyed reading about him. I also liked how this book was romance focused, but that the band issues and Sarah doing her job were of equal importance. The band dynamic in this book was so much fun, and I loved seeing them work together, even with all their problems. Another big focus of the book was Quentin’s allergy and asthma issues. I haven’t read many books where this is such a serious issue, so it was really interesting to read about.

Overall, this was super enjoyable, and one of the best I've read from Jennifer Echols.

The Cover:
Cute!

Rating:
[4/5]

Purchase Links:
Book Depository | Chapters-Indigo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble

Fractured by Sarah Fine

Fractured by Sarah Fine
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Amazon Skyscape
Pages: 357
Series: Guards of the Shadowlands #2
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
In the week since Lela returned to Rhode Island as Captain of the Guard with Malachi as her second in command, local news has been dominated by chilling sightings of human-like creatures running on all fours. Lela knows there’s only one explanation: the Mazikin have arrived in the land of the living.

Needing to maintain the appearance of a normal life for her foster mother, her probation officer, and her classmates, Lela returns to Warwick High along with Malachi. At night they secretly hunt for the Mazikin nest. To assist, two new Guards from very different parts of the Shadowlands are assigned to Lela’s unit, including the bad boy Jim, who repeatedly challenges Lela's authority. Lela struggles to keep all her Guards on the right side of the law, but their mistakes come at a terrible cost.

As one painful revelation follows another and the Mazikin start targeting those closest to her, Lela finds herself more vulnerable than she’s ever been, wanting a future more than she ever has. With an enemy determined to separate soul from body, one question remains: how much is she willing to sacrifice to protect those she loves?

My Thoughts:
I feel the need to point out that this is definitely not a happy story. Does that need to be pointed out, when the first book takes place in a version of hell for suicides? I’m not sure, but yes, this is a great book, but one that was definitely tough to read at times. There are some good moments, but they quickly dissolved into angst and pain and despair. While this sounds pretty horrible, it really is a good book (I feel like it's somehow necessary it keep pointing this out).

Fractured picks up where book 1 (Sanctum) left off, fighting the Mazikin in the human world. Our characters are trying to prevent them from taking over people, and are attempting to figure out and stop their end game. While a lot of the “twists” in the book are generally predictable, they still bring about some major feels. There were definitely moments when I was flailing (in a horrified way) and crying. It takes talent to bring about such visceral reactions, and Sarah Fine has talent in spades.

One thing I’m always impressed by in Fine’s writing is how intricate the world building is. Even though we’re physically in the human world for this book there were many details revealed of the different afterlife options, and also about the Mazikin. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this in the next book.

Fractured definitely leaves its readers with a cliffhanger. We’re left with a big decision and a question of “what now??”. There are such big things on the horizon for this series, and it definitely made me wish there wasn’t a big wait for the next book. If you’re looking for something happy and light, I’d strongly recommend you find something else (Cinderella Screwed Me Over, anyone? So cute!), but if you’re looking for something intricate and gritty, I’d really suggest you check out this series. I know I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the third installment.

The Cover:
A little busy, but gorgeous!!

Rating:
[4/5]

Purchase Links:
Book Depository | Chapters-Indigo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble

Horde by Ann Aguirre

Horde by Ann Aguirre
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 432
Series: Razorland Trilogy #3
Review Source: eARC from publisher through Raincoast Books

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
The epic conclusion to the USA Today bestselling trilogy.

The horde is coming.

Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.

Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.

This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

My Thoughts:
This book is incredibly intense, a completely action-packed conclusion to the Razorland trilogy. I’ve enjoyed this series from the beginning, but this was definitely my favourite installment. There was a little bit of everything (action, character development, romance), and it concluded the series perfectly.

Horde features a lot of time at war. What I enjoyed (“enjoyed” being an odd word, but I’ll go with it) so much is that there real consequences and that war was never glorified. There were injuries and there were losses, and while it was sad, it was also real. Similarly, there are scenes where Deuce describes the bone tiredness she feels in long battle. Despite her skills, she’s not perfect, and she needs help from Fade or from others at times. Everything was all the more real, because Deuce is a strong and mighty character, but she’s also not invincible. I just loved how that was shown, making the book feel more real and the character more relatable.

Deuce has grown as a character throughout the trilogy, but it really shows in this book. She starts out as a Huntress, prizing the fight over anything else, but she’s learned to value people: to build a family and accept love. This book, and this series, is her journey as a warrior, but also as a person and a woman. Deuce has learned what bravery and fighting are all about. She no longer fights for glory or for the sake of fighting, but she fights for a peaceful future for her and her family.

On the romance end of things, I totally forgot how much I ship Deuce and Fade. You might not expect to find such a swoonworthy romance in a series about zombies, but these two love each other something fierce, and they are so lovely together. Horde shows such an awesome progression of their relationship.

What this book needed to really succeed was answers about the Muties, and Ann Aguirre provides them in spades. There’s a lot of discussion throughout the book about how the Muties are changing, and why they are the way they are. There are also some revelations which were definitely surprising, yet still made sense.

This book definitely wraps up the trilogy so well. I really loved how there was a happy and hopeful ending after all the misery the characters went through, but that there was also loss and a sense of the bittersweet. It left you in a good place, but it didn’t feel unrealistic. The one thing I’m not sure about is the epilogue. On the one hand it was kind of nice and sweet, but on the other hand it felt a bit cheesy and not really necessary. Either way, I am such a fan of this series, and I’m so grateful and happy that Horde was the strongest and most epic of the three books. I love when the last book of a series can remind me why I fell for the characters and the plot to begin with, and then make me want to read the series all over again, and that definitely happened here.

The Cover:
So freaky!! I like it, though.

Rating:
[5/5]

Purchase Links:
Book Depository | Chapters-Indigo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble

Waiting on Wednesday (37)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where bloggers feature upcoming book releases that they're looking forward to.

This week I'm eagerly anticipating...

Another Little Piece of my Heart

by Tracey Martin

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: December 1, 2013

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

What if your devastating break-up became this summer’s hit single? In this rock-and-roll retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, music can either bring you together or tear you apart.

At her dying mother’s request, Claire dumps Jared, the only boy she’s ever loved. Left with a broken family and a broken heart, Claire is furious when she discovers that her biggest regret became Jared’s big break. While Jared is catapulted into rock-star status, another piece of Claire’s heart crumbles every time his song plays on the radio.

The summer after her senior year, it’s been months since the big break-up, and Claire is just trying to keep her head down and make it through a tense trip to the beach with her family. But when Jared shows up, and old feelings reignite, can Claire and Jared let go of the past? Or will they be stuck singing the same old refrain?

That cover!! Gorgeous! The very bare bones concept of this reminds me of Audrey, Wait!, which can only be a good thing, and while I haven't actually read any Jane Austen (I know :/), I do tend to love re-tellings of her novels.

Running Back by Allison Parr

Running Back by Allison Parr
Release Date: October 21, 2013
Publisher: Carina Press
Pages: 229
Series: New York Leopards #2 (Companion series)
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Natalie Sullivan is on the verge of a breakthrough most archaeology grad students only dream of: discovering a lost city. Her research points to a farm in Ireland, but to excavate she needs permission from the new owner: the Michael O'Connor, popular NFL running back.

On TV Mike seems so charming and good-natured that Natalie figures getting his cooperation will be a breeze. So she's not prepared to deal with the arrogant—and adamantly opposed—man she meets in person. Or the way one look from him sends shivers down her spine…

Determined to kick-start her career, Natalie travels across the Atlantic and finds herself sharing an inn with Mike, who has come to Ireland in search of his roots. She tells herself her interest is strictly professional, but the more she gets to know him, the harder it is to deny her personal attraction to the sexy sports star. And when Mike confides why he refuses to allow the dig, Natalie must decide if she can follow her heart without losing sight of her dreams.

My Thoughts:
I loved the first book in this series (Rush Me), and I liked Running Back almost as much. I love how Allison Parr brings family and friends and the whole lives of her characters into her books. So many times the leads of romance novels are quite solitary, even if there’s a few scenes here and there with their friends or at work. This isn’t the case here, with family issues being an incredibly important issue to the main story.

Another aspect of this book I enjoyed tremendously was the focus on Ireland and archaeology. It felt like the author knew what she was talking about with archaeology (turns out she has a degree in it!), and her passion for the subject transferred easily over to Natalie. Speaking of Natalie, I really enjoyed both her and Mike. They were interesting individually, and they were a good fit together. I liked how clear it was that they liked each other, and that they wanted to put aside work issues and be together, even when it was difficult.

I really enjoy Allison Parr’s writing, and I’m already excited for her next NA novel from Carina, which will feature another New York Leopard, Abe (see FAQ #3 for a few details).

The Cover:
Not a fan of the colours, but I like how it matches the first.

Rating:
[4/5]

Purchase Links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Carina Press | Kobo

Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen

Cinderella Screwed Me Over by Cindi Madsen
Release Date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Pages: 400
Series: n/a
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Darby Quinn has a bone to pick with Cinderella. Burned one too many times by ex-boyfriends, Darby has lost all belief in the happily-ever-after that the fairy-tale princess promised her. She's sworn off love, Prince Charmings, and happy endings and she's happy about it. Really. Or at least she was…until she met Jake, her gorgeous neighbor and the manager of her favorite restaurant. But Darby has rules about dating, ones she's culled from her years spent with so-called “princes,” and starting something with Jake would break all of them.

Charming, fun, and unwilling to give up on her, Jake doesn’t fit any of the profiles Darby has created from her case studies of ex-princes-gone-bad. Finally presented with her own Prince Charming, can Darby take a chance on a happily-ever-after?

Full of wit and sarcastic humor, Cinderella Screwed Me Over proves that sometimes the perfect love, like a perfect pair of shoes, is just within your grasp.

My Thoughts:
I went into this book looking for something lighthearted and sweet, and that's exactly what I got. Upon reading the first few chapters there were numerous times I actually laughed out loud, a rare occurrence. This humour continued throughout the book, which I really appreciated. I also loved how swoony and romantic this book was while still being clean. I mean, I wouldn't have protested at more make out scenes, but I really do love clean romances because you get so much more of a focus on the actual romance. You get to experience the characters getting to know one another and all the reasons why they belong together, beyond just the physical attraction.

Our main character Darby is sweet, but she’s also practical to the point of cynicism. She's been burned so many times, that it's difficult for her to let herself fall in love, even when a real Prince Charming may have made his way into her life. Speaking of Prince Charming, I really loved Jake. He's funny and charming without coming off as sleazy, he's patient and caring, and he sees the good in Darby. I appreciated how we also got to see some of Jake’s faults, such as him getting too wrapped up in his work. This made him seem like a whole person, not just someone placed in the role of “perfect love interest”.

What I loved about this slow burn romance is that it didn't feel fake. Darby genuinely felt like someone with control and trust issues, and we see that with all her case study examples. She had real reasons to feel the way she did, and she wasn't over the top about it. Darby wasn't an insane man hating stereotype like you see in some books/movies, she's just someone who is hesitant and scared. She tries to keep her distance to keep herself from being hurt again. Speaking of Darby’s case studies, I loved how she laid out her past relationships in that format, especially in comparing them to the Disney princes.

The romance in this book is top notch, but so too are the friendship and family elements. Stephanie, Darby’s best friend, was a strong support for Darby. She was busy planning her own wedding, so she wasn’t always 100% focused on the friendship, but she was there for Darby when it counted most, and she wanted the best for her. Their friendship felt real, and Stephanie was a great character who stood as her own woman, and not just as a caricature of female friendship that so many books present. On the family front, Darby’s family plays a small but important role in the book. From the scenes that they are in, it’s so clear that they are real, developed people with their own personalities and backgrounds. To do that without “info dumping” takes talent, and that was definitely achieved here.

Be sure to check out Cinderella Screwed Me Over if you’re looking for a book that is fun and swoony, while still being practical about romance (eg. it fully acknowledges that relationships take work, that you need to have the same goals, that you need to support each other, etc). I absolutely enjoyed this book: it was one that I didn't want to set down because I felt like I was a part of Darby's world when I was reading it.

The Cover:
I'm kind of ambivalent towards it.

Rating:
[5/5]

Purchase Links:
Book Depository | Chapters-Indigo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble