REVIEW: With the Band (Luminescent Juliet #3) by Jean Haus

When they get an offer to join a national tour, the musicians of Luminescent Juliet finally find their ticket to fame. But for Sam, the band's dazzling but troubled bassist, making sure his past stays locked away feels more important than winning the spotlight.

Then Peyton, a budding music journalist, joins the tour, tasked with chronicling the band's every move. She and Sam have a history, one that has made them enemies. Neither wants to deal with old pain and misunderstanding, and they agree to keep the past in the past. This is more than fine with Peyton?after all, it?ll only help reassure her picture-perfect boyfriend back on campus that following the band is all totally professional.

Yet being forced to look at Sam in a new way brings Peyton a different perspective on the past?and his magnetic baby-blues and rippling muscles are hard to ignore. When the tour kicks into high gear, the real truth about their shared past comes to light, and Peyton is rocked by forces as passionate and chaotic as the music she loves.

This book is intended for mature teen audiences due to strong language and some sexual content.

My Thoughts:

I watch the guys onstage while music at megawatt volume vibrates in my rib cage. It’s loud, it’s in my face, and I love it. This is my sunny day. Sleeping in. Chasing butterflies. Making snow angels. Riding a roller coaster. The live music is all awesome things rolled into one.

I want to be With the Band. I want to trade places with Peyton. I want that experience of travelling across the country, taking in the sights, and having a front row seat to watch an up and coming indie band perform and work hard for their dreams. And I swear, I won't complain once about being on a tour bus for days on end with a group of hormonal, sweaty, guys. Well, at least not much!

I do have to admit that Peyton frustrated me at times. She tended to run instead of face her feelings. She would sway one way, and then sway back the other. I don't know how many times I wanted to shout at her to just stop for a minute and take a look at what was in front of her. But then it was me that I was getting frustrated with for expecting something different, because her past has made her that girl that runs. She's been hurt and humiliated by someone that she thought loved her and cared about her. It's never easy to get over something like that.

“We’re hardly friends, you and me,” I snarl.

“Friends?” he repeats, ignoring my anger. 

 "We’re friends, Peyton. I care about you. You seem to care about me.” 

 “But as far as being 'hardly friends'... maybe you’re right. I don’t want to f**k my friends.” 

Sam... Sweet, loving, caring, broken Sam. Hot and incredibly sexy Sam! His imperfections are, for me, what makes him perfect. He broke my heart!! This loss and pain that he's feeling. The responsibilities. I loved him completely. When you've got Sam in your life, you can rest assured that you will always have his love, care and loyalty. Even when things were at there most rocky between him and Peyton, he would drop everything if he thought for a minute that she needed him. But he could also be so flirty and fun.

The attraction between Sam and Peyton was undeniable. Right from the very start is was simmering there in the background just waiting to jump up and take a hold. Their time together was filled with angst, bickering and misunderstandings. But it also had so many fun and sweet moments.

I also really enjoyed the presence of the rest of the band. I can't say that I've been a huge fan of Gabe, but by the end of this book I was really starting to see his charm coming through, and I can't wait to get to know him better in the future.

I'm sure you all know by now how much I love Jean Haus and her writing. She gets me, and what I like. She knows how to deliver a great storyline. Her leading men are always deliciously swoony. But it's that her stories seem to carry a deeper meaning. We all like those books that we can just sit and read and not have to think too much about. They are our escape. But more often that not, I want something that gives me a little bit more. With Jean Haus, I get more. It's that depth that will have me always coming back time and again. 

I've said it before in my reviews, that I'm finding the New Adult reads that I pick up lately, a little bit predictable. There are a few authors who I find manage to get it right each time, and one of them is this author. As with all books written by Jean Haus, I read it in one sitting. Her books have come to represent the meaning of unputdownable. And this series is right up there amongst my absolute favourites!! I'm just sorry that it took me so long to get to it!!

With so many books out there at the moment that centre around music, this is one series that I cannot recommend highly enough! 

5/5 Gorgeous, Sam Stars.

Thank you so much to the wonderful author Jean Haus for providing me with the stunning paperback copy for review.

REVIEW: Losing Hope (Hopeless #2) by Colleen Hoover

In the follow-up to Colleen Hoover’s #1 New York Times bestseller Hopeless, the charming and irresistible Dean Holder tells the passionate story that has melted thousands of hearts.

In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.

My Thoughts:

I wonder if it's possible for people to fall in love with a person one characteristic at a time, or if you fall for the entire person at once. 

Damn Colleen Hoover and her damn books that make me feel every damn emotion and have me crying big fat ugly damn tears... 

Oh, okay, I love Colleen Hoover for her perfect books that make me feel every single emotion and have me crying big, fat, tears of sadness, and love and happiness. 

Every time that I read a book written by Colleen Hoover, I think that there's no way that I could love anything more that what I've just read. And every time I have to eat my words. I don't know why I never read Losing Hope before. I have no valid excuse, so shame on me. Once again Colleen Hoover has produced perfection. 

Sometimes, when an author writes a follow up book from an alternative point of view, it can feel like a complete rehash of the story, since you know exactly what's going to happen, but even though I knew how this story was going to turn out, reading it from Holder's point of view took it to a whole new level. It was like I was reading a completely new book. I never once felt like I was just reading the same storyline. I was completely one hundred percent sucked into the story. Other authors should take note. This is how it's done!! This is the exact way that an alternative point of view should be written. 

I’m pretty sure it’s too soon to love her, but shit. She’s got to stop doing and saying these unexpected things that make me want to fast-forward whatever’s going on between us. Because I want to kiss her and make love to her and marry her and make her have my babies and I want it all to happen tonight. 

Dean Holder is everything. To get a first hand account, an insight into all that he feels... the guilt, pain, and torment, just about broke my heart. He bears so much responsibility and blame. He is mature beyond his years for what he has had to endure. I thought that I was in love with him after reading Hopeless, but I had no idea how much more I could fall for him. His love. His concern. His care. His passion. Every single aspect combined to make him such an amazing character. Dean Holder will now be who I compare all others to. The perfect book boyfriend. 

But I'm not falling in love with her piece by piece anymore. I'm in love with the whole girl. Every single piece of her.

I also felt like I got a whole new level of understanding when it came to Sky as well. Seeing her through Holders eyes really hammered home the level of love that he felt for her. And the lengths that he would go to, to protect her.

The diary entries that Holder wrote throughout the story were so amazing and heartfelt. They also really allowed us to get to know Les. It also showed what an amazing brother Holder was. I know I keep saying how perfect Holder is, but I'm really lost for better words to describe him. He is simply amazing!!

Colleen Hoover's words are heart. They are feelings. They are emotion. They are beauty. After I finish reading one of her books, I swear that my heart will never recover from the level and intensity of emotions it's just experienced. But recover it does, ready for the next Colleen Hoover experience. And, I wouldn't have it any other way. Because books written the way that she writes, is the exact reason that I read.  

"F**k all the firsts, Sky. The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers."

5/5 Dean Holder is Perfect Stars.

Once again, thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia for supplying me with a copy of such an amazing book.

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY #70: Soulprint by Megan Miranda

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

From the author of FRACTURE, a riveting new thriller which draws on cutting-edge science.

Alina Chase has been contained on an island for the last 17 years—whether that’s for the crimes of her past life, or for her own protection, well, that depends on whom you ask. With soul-fingerprinting a reality, science can now screen for the soul, and everyone knows that Alina’s soul had once belonged to notorious criminal, June Calahan, though that information is supposed to be private. June had accomplished the impossible: hacking into the soul-database, ruining countless lives in the process.

Now, there are whispers that June has left something behind for her next life—something that would allow Alina to access the information in the soul-database again. A way to finish the crimes she started.

Aided by three people with their own secret motivations, Alina escapes, only to discover that she may have just traded one prison for another. And there are clues. Clues only Alina can see and decipher, clues that make it apparent that June is leading her to something. While everyone believes Alina is trying to continue in June’s footsteps, Alina believes June is trying to show her something more. Something bigger. Something that gets at the heart of who they all are—about the past and the present. Something about the nature of their souls.

Alina doesn’t know who to trust, or what June intends for her to know, and the closer she gets to the answers, the more she wonders who June was, who she is, whether she’s destined to repeat the past, whether there are truths best kept hidden—and what one life is really worth.

Expected publication: February 3rd 2015

I've just finished reading Eleven Minutes by Megan Miranda and was so impressed with her writing, that I've gone in search of what else she's written outside of the Fracture series and came across this one. Doesn't it sound awesome!! I'll definitely be grabbing this one when it's released!!
What book are you patiently waiting for the release of?

REVIEW: Beautiful Oblivion (Maddox Brothers #1) by Jamie McGuire

The Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster phenomenon continues in the first heart-pounding new adult romance in The Maddox Brothers series.

Fiercely independent Camille "Cami" Camlin gladly moved on from her childhood before it was over. She has held down a job since before she could drive, and moved into her own apartment after her freshman year of college. Now tending bar at The Red Door, Cami doesn’t have time for much else besides work and classes, until a trip to see her boyfriend is cancelled, leaving her with a first weekend off in almost a year.

Trenton Maddox was the king of Eastern State University, dating co-eds before he even graduated high school. His friends wanted to be him, and women wanted to tame him, but after a tragic accident turned his world upside down, Trenton leaves campus to come to grips with the crushing guilt. 

Eighteen months later, Trenton is living at home with his widower father, and works full-time at a local tattoo parlor to help with the bills. Just when he thinks his life is returning to normal, he notices Cami sitting alone at a table at The Red. 

As the baby sister of four rowdy brothers, Cami believes she’ll have no problem keeping her new friendship with Trenton Maddox strictly platonic. But when a Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever—even if she is the only reason their already broken family could fall apart.

In the first installment of the Maddox Brothers books, readers can experience the rush of reading Beautiful Disaster for the first time, all over again.

My Thoughts:

Everyone knew Trenton Maddox was bad news, but that never seemed to stop women from trying to tame him.

A series about the Maddox brothers. Yeah, I'm all over that!! I fell crazy, mad in love with Travis Maddox back in beautiful disaster and loved the little peeks that we got of his brothers. When this book arrived for review, I dropped everything else so that I could spend some serious quality time with Trent.

Trenton Maddox is really hard not to like. He has that same passion and fire as Travis, but on a much more toned down scale. But just because it's toned down, doesn't mean he's not as passionate or as fiery as Travis, because he is. It's just not worn around and carried in the same way as Travis, but it does come out on occasion. He was also incredibly sweet. But there was also an occasion where he made an admission about his conquests, and I have to say that I was turned off there for a little while. It really played on my mind a fair bit after that, but thankfully I was able to put it aside and enjoy the rest of the story. 

Cami was a character that took me a little while to warm to. I felt like I had read her character many times over. She did have incredible strength. She stood up for what she believed in. She is loyal, even when that loyalty is not warranted. But beyond that, there didn't seem to be a lot to make her stand out to me.

"I am the one, Cami. I'm it for you. I know because you're it for me."

As for the romance... I liked it. At times, I loved it. There were some cute moments and there were some hot moments. But sometimes I felt that all the drama overshadowed the relationship between Trent and Cami. There was no doubt that when they were on, they were really on and those times were just perfect. 

There are a lot of characters in this book that you need to get your head around. Cami's family especially. And they are kind of crazy intense. And for the life of me, I couldn't understand why for a lot of the time. Her Dad is completely psycho and her brothers could give him a run for his money at different stages throughout the book. I couldn't understand Cami's need to defend them and protect them. I understand that family is where it's at, but seriously, you have to draw the line somewhere.

Because Beautiful Oblivion runs along the same time period as the Beautiful series we get little cameo's of Travis and Abbey throughout the story. Any time spent with Travis can only be a good thing, and I really looked forward to those little snippets. 

There is this big secret eluded to throughout the story and as I was getting closer and closer to the end, I kept thinking that there was no way that there was enough time to reveal it and deal with it. But then bam!!! There it is. The. Big. Secret. And then, story over. I actually had to sit and process for a few minutes and then I went back and reread the last chapter just to allow myself to take it in. As an ending though, it was pretty fantastically mind blowing!! But upon reflection, I can't understand how this was kept a big secret for so long.

Jamie McGuire has a style of writing that I find addictive. It makes it almost impossible to put her books down and that was exactly how it was with Beautiful Oblivion. While I did have my issues with some things throughout the book, overall it was a great read. Bring on the next Maddox brother!!

I was in trouble. Big, disastrous, Maddox trouble.

3.75/5  Sweet Trenton Stars

A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia for supplying me with this copy for review.

REVIEW: Rush Too Far (Rosemary Beach #4) by Abbi Glines

Get ready to fall hard for Rush… 

Fallen Too Far introduced us to Rush Finlay, the gorgeous charming son of a famous rock star, and Blaire Wynn, the girl from Alabama who rode into Rosemary Beach, Florida, in a pick-up truck with a gun under the seat looking for her estranged father. United under one roof by the surprising marriage of their parents, Rush and Blaire couldn't hate each other more. But it only took a summer to for everything to change… 

Fallen Too Far was Blaire's story. Now it's time for Rush to share his side, and for readers to fall all over again!

My Thoughts:

This isn't your typical love story. It's really too completely f**ked up to be charming. But when you're the bastard son of a legendary drummer from one of the most beloved rock bands in the world, you expect serious f**k-ups. It's what we're known for.

If you're reading this review then you have most likely read Fallen Too Far, so I'm not going to rehash the story for you, since you will know how things go. I think it pretty much goes without saying that when Abbi Glines writes a book, I fall in love. But to have her write a book from the males point of view is somewhat close to heaven. 

I fell in love with Rush back in Fallen Too Far, where we experienced the ride through Blaire's eyes. I loved Blaire for her strength and ability to make the hard decisions when faced with a challenge. And she was faced with quite a few big ones. Back then, I didn't fall in love with Rush immediately. It was much more of a slow burn. It happened over the course of the second half of the book, and, by the end, I was head over heels smitten.

I'm not sure if it was knowing how things were going to turn out in the story or just that I was better able to understand Rush's actions a whole lot more because I was reading his side of things, but I was on board with him much earlier in the piece in Rush Too Far. I think knowing he was so conflicted about things and being able to see his feelings first hand made it that much easier to love him.

Yes, Rush is hot. But I've come to want something more from my New Adult reads than the hot, tattooed, bad boy. It's been done so many times over. What I really loved most about Rush was his loyalty and his passion. As much as I couldn't like Nan, even so far as to say that I wanted to poke her eyeballs out at different points throughout the book, Rush's loyalty to his sister was something special. Not always warranted, in fact probably not warranted for most of the book, but given just the same, because he loves her and wants to protect her. I can't fault him for that. And he did put her in her place many times over when it came to Blaire. I really admired that about him.

I knew what her smile could do to me and how the way she looked at me controlled my f**cking moods. It was like she'd become the sun, and I'd started revolving around her. She was my centre.

Then there is his passion. That will get me every time. A passionate man is an incredibly attractive man. Rush loves Blaire with so much intensity. I think there's a little part in all of us that wants to be loved that way. A man who has no desire to settle down, falling hard, is one of my favourite things to read, and Rush Finlay fell hard!!

As always Abbi Glines writing was fantastic, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable. If you're a fan of this series, then having a whole book written from Rush's point of view is sure to impress.

Loving someone you don't deserve isn't easy. It hurts like hell.

5/5 Rush Finlay Stars

A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia for supplying me with this copy for review.

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY #69: Who R U Really? by Margo Kelly

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Thea's overprotective parents are driving her insane. They invade her privacy, ask too many questions, and restrict her online time so severely that Thea feels she has no life at all. When she discovers a new role-playing game online, Thea breaks the rules by staying up late to play. She's living a double life: on one hand, the obedient daughter; on the other, a girl slipping deeper into darkness. In the world of the game, Thea falls under the spell of Kit, an older boy whose smarts and savvy can't defeat his loneliness and near-suicidal despair. As Kit draws soft-hearted Thea into his drama, she creates a full plate of cover stories for her parents and then even her friends.

Soon, Thea is all alone in the dark world with Kit, who worries her more and more, but also seems to be the only person who really "gets" her. Is he frightening, the way he seems sometimes, or only terribly sad? Should Thea fear Kit, or pity him? And now, Kit wants to come out of the screen and bring Thea into his real-life world. As much as she suspects that this is wrong, Thea is powerless to resist Kit's allure, and hurtles toward the same dark fate her parents feared most. Ripped from a true-life story of Internet stalking, Who R U Really? will excite you and scare you, as Thea's life spins out of control.

Expected publication: September 18th 2014

 You hear so often of teens being drawn in by someone that they meet online, and the consequences of that. Who R U Really? sounds suspenseful and gripping. I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of this!

What book are you patiently waiting for the release of?

COVER REVEAL: Beyond the Sea (Beyond the Sea #1) by Emily Goodwin

Beyond the Sea by Emily Goodwin 
(Beyond the Sea #1) 

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Synopsis:

After the brutal and mysterious murder of her sister, Melia is forced to leave her life as a merrow and live on land, pretending to be human. Feeling very much like a fish out of water, Melia struggles to fit in and to accept that the Pacific Ocean she loves so much may never again be her home.

Melia is unable to hide her fins from outsider Jamie Forester, who possess the gift to see into the Otherworld. Jamie—and everyone she knows—views her ability as a curse, isolating her from the rest of society. Melia sees the curse as a gift…and a way to find out what really happened to her sister.

Eighteen year old Peter Anderson thinks college is the most extraordinary thing that will ever happen to him, until he meets Melia. He is immediately bewitched by her beauty and spirit, sensing but not seeing that there is more to her than meets the eye.

Caught up in Peter’s affection and human affairs, Melia is too distracted to notice the darklings surfacing from the depths of the ocean. It isn’t until a body is found that Melia realizes parts of her old life have come back…with a vengeance.

Author Bio:

Emily resides in Indiana with her husband,ferrets,horses and their beloved dog, a German Shepherd named Vader. Emily has a degree in psychology, likes anything paranormal, listens to too much 80's rock and loves going on crazy adventures with her friends.

Author Links:

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