Review: Faking It by Cora Carmack

Published June 14th, 2013
355 pages (Kindle Edition)
William Morrow

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Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.

Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel.  (From Goodreads)

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This book has that quality about it where it seems completely unrealistic, but somehow could happen to you someday...

The characters make the story.  Cade is that underdog I couldn't help but cheer for in Losing It.  Even when Bliss reappears temporarily in this book, I was cheering for Cade.  Max is like that, too.  You know she can do so much better for herself.  I was cheering for her the whole way.  Max is so misunderstood, but Cade sees through it and *swoon*.  These two just draw you into the story.  There is definitely insta-lust, but also this friendship and understanding that blossoms.  I just love these characters and their development through the story.

The problem for me is that, while it makes for a great read, it felt so unrealistic.  Chapter after chapter, each event that occurred felt sort of surreal and unlikely to me.  There was an aspect of realism that was missing.  Max's parents and Cade's ability to play along just felt a little bizarre.

I did really like Faking It.  The characters did it for me.  There was that ability to connect with both sides that drew me into the story.

"Waiting On" Into The Still Blue

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

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The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.  (From Goodreads)

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Perry, Aria and Roar are some of my favourite characters ever.  It is bittersweet to think about how their epic finale (and I have a feeling it *will* be epic) is near.  Leather pants and snark and swoons.  Into The Still Blue may be out on January 28th, 2014, but this is a series I will read over and over.

Top Ten Tuesday: Giving Thanks

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies over at

The Broke And The Bookish!

This Week's Topic:
Top Ten Things I'm Thankful For

To my American friends, Happy Thanksgiving.  Up here in snowy Canada-land, Thanksgiving was about a month ago, but it's always important to consider the things in life that you're thankful for.  Right now, my family and a few close friends top that list.  It has been a rough few months for me, and I'm so thankful for their support.  Beyond that, this is the time of year I am incredibly thankful for the home I live in.  The snow is falling here, and I cannot imagine being out there without a place to return home to.

Review: Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published November 2nd, 2013
Spencer Hill Press
360 pages (Paperback)

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It's a beautiful day for a war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself. (From Goodreads)

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My love of this series is no secret.  I love the Covenant books.  The journey has been a roller coaster of emotions.  One minute you're swooning, then in action-overload, then curled up and crying...

If you're new to the game, I loved Half-Blood, Pure, Deity, Elixir, and Apollyon.

Sentinel is a fantastic conclusion.  It definitely did not go in the way I had expected or really hoped, but this was so much better.  I was engaged from the first page, and finished the book in under 5 hours.  The story is just that good.  I think the influence of Greek mythology is what keeps it so engaging and appealing.  Greek myths have the same qualities.  Add that with JLA's great storytelling.  Seriously, I just want to sit in her mind for a few minutes because her writing appeals to me so much.

If you've made it this far in the series, you likely love the characters.  Alex is still a badass.  Aiden is still perfect.  Seth actually had my mind racing in crazy directions.  I don't hate him anymore.  That's all I'll say about that.  Then characters start dying and you're just reeling and trying to tell yourself it's okay.  But it isn't.  What you just read cannot be undone.  I might need counselling.

Sentinel was a great conclusion to a great series.  It's that simple.  I would recommend the Covenant books to anyone.  

Review: A Little Too Much by Lisa Derochers

Published November 12th, 2013

William Morrow Impulse

416 pages (eBook)

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In the follow-up to Lisa Desrochers’ explosive New Adult novel A Little too Far, Alessandro Moretti must face the life he escaped and the girl he loved and left behind.

Twenty-two year old Hilary McIntyre would like nothing more than to forget her past. As a teenager abandoned to the system, she faced some pretty dark times. But now that’s all behind her. Hilary has her life on track, and there’s no way she’ll head back down that road again.

Until Alessandro Moretti—the one person who can make her remember—shows up on her doorstep. He’s even more devastatingly gorgeous than before, and he’s much too close for comfort. Worse, he sees right through the walls she’s built over these last eight years, right into her heart and the secrets she’s guarding.

As Hilary finds herself falling back into love with the man who, as a boy both saved and destroyed her, she must decide. Past or future? Truth or lies? (From Goodreads)

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A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review (Thanks William Morrow Impulse!).  This in no way influenced my opinion.

I was pleasantly surprised by A Little Too Much.  I didn't read the first book, A Little To Far.  In all honesty the whole "step-brother" thing pushed me away.  A Little Too Much may spoil A Little To Far's ending, but can be read 100% independent of the other book.  And I actually enjoyed it!

A Little Too Much gave me that OMG-I-have-to-move-to-NYC-immediately feeling.  The main characters spend a fair bit of time exploring the city, and I think this was my favourite part.  I was left with a deep sense of wanderlust.  I wanted to find myself a cute guy with nice arms and go tourist-ing.

Alessandro has that tall, dark and handsome thing going on, and I am completely on board with it.  Seriously, sign me up.  The characters were good, and I have no real complaints beyond some of the dialogue.  Not all of it, but a bit of the more brooding stuff felt a little cheesy.  So, I just gave an Italian accent to everything and dealt with it.  I wouldn't say that Hilary and Alessandro are now my favourite characters of all time, but there was the growth I look for and no big issues.

What I really liked about this story was that it felt deeper than most of the NA I've read.  There was actually content here.  Most NA novels seem to follow a similar formula.  The recipe here is similar, but the exploration of the city and BOMB THAT DROPS IN CHAPTER 23 left me satisfied.  Again, it felt deeper.  The last sentence was likely my favourite in the whole novel.  I was so pumped for the next chapter and sorry the end.  Again, it was completely satisfying.

I recommend this to, not only fans of NA, but fans of romance in general.  The sex isn't overly explicit, and the story felt like there was actual content to it.  I don't know if I will go back and read the first book, but I will be picking up the next one!

Allegiant's Ending, Spoilers, and Why I Loved It

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.  THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD FOR ALLEGIANT AND CLOCKWORK PRINCESS.  IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE SPOILERS, GIVE THIS A READ AT A LATER TIME.

You can read my non-spoiler review after the jump.

You have been warned...

Okay, so the ending.  Let me start with a question...

Was I the only one who saw that coming?

I mean, all three books were alluding to that ending.  Just think about it for a second.

As far as endings go, I liked this one.  Not all endings are meant to please everyone.  I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been rooting for Tris and Tobias.  Despite everything suggesting they weren't going to make it, the pair of them pushed through and yay love.  But love can't stop death, and Tris kept jumping into situations where it was going to happen and managed to make it out each time.  She was defying the odds, but odds catch up eventually.

Am I saying I'm glad that her character was killed?  No.  But I will say this, I was more upset over Uriah dying that Tris.  That one hurt.  I get the anger that happens when an author kills off a character that you love and admire.  I'd have been mad if Richelle Mead had killed Rose in Last Sacrifice, or if Jennifer L. Armentrout does the unthinkable to Alex in Sentinal.  It sucks, but not everything always ends with sunshine and rainbows.  I get the anger, I really do.  

The emotions brought forward by Tobias and Christina sold the ending for me.  That is what should remembered.  That is what I am taking away from the book.  Those last few chapters in Tobias' perspective are what made the book for me.  There was such emotion and beauty and heartache there, and I think a lot of people were to angry to take that in.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this ending more than that of the likes of Clockwork Princess, where everything is happily ever after for all parties.  This felt more real and raw and captivating than the ending of Clockwork Princess.

When I read, I like to escape to a different place.  I like to imagine life in that world and and live along side the characters.  When I imagine myself in this world, I think a perfect ending where everyone walks off into the sunset would have been less enjoyable.

If you've read Allegiant, please share your thoughts.  I want to hear what y'all think!

Review: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Published December 12th, 2012
Razorbill
412 pages (Hardcover)

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In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed? (From Goodreads)

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I've been digging the fantasy genre of late, and Falling Kingdoms did not disappoint.

Set in the land of Mytica, Falling Kingdoms has a feel similar to A Song of Fire and Ice (note that I have not read the books, this is based off the two seasons of Game of Thrones I've watched).  As far a settings go, there was not a ton of description beyond the three kingdoms within Mytica.  Some other areas are mentioned in vague detail, and will hopefully become more prominent in future books.  

Morgan Rhodes was not afraid to kill characters, but not until after you became attached, or when you weren't expecting it.  I won't spoil anything but OMG I was not pleased.  So, there is this...

The characters were really well done, and I truly developed some strong feelings for some of them.  Example, I hate Cleo, one of several main characters.  She felt like your typical teenage brat to me, and I was not digging it.  Compare this to Jonas, who I should have hated but couldn't!  I also liked Magnus and Lucia and Theon and ugh...

The story is complex, but not too complicated to confuse you.  I really enjoyed the many perspectives used.  The story follows, for the most part, Cleo, Magnus, Lucia, and Jonas.  Four "protagonists" (you can be the judge on that one) is a lot, but it worked well.  There were some timing issues that come with so many perspectives, but they never threw me off too badly.

Falling Kingdoms was a great read for anyone interest in, but intimidated by, fantasy novels.  I cannot wait to see where the series goes next.

"Waiting On" Crash Into You

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

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From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane 

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind. 

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look. 

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.  (From Goodreads)

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This series is one of those that I just want to force upon everyone, and, from what I've heard, Crash Into You will be no exception.  I'm excited for Isaiah's story and what will happen to his friendship with Beth after Dare You To.  Also, you know it's going to be HAWT.  If you have read it already, please share how HAWT it is.  Crash Into You hits bookstores on November 26th, 2013.

Top Ten Tuesday: Gimme gimme gimme!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies over at

The Broke And The Bookish!

This Week's Topic:
Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait to Get My Hands On

I think this one explains itself.  I'm impatient y'all!

October Recap

I can't say I'm a fan of October.  I'm a fan of fall and pumpkin spice lattes, but October offers me very little.  Seriously, Halloween does nothing for me.  Hockey's back, which is nice.  Okay, so there are things about October that I kinda like, but...

There was a lot of school and placement, and not much reading (for pleasure).  I will be done placement by mid-month, and school by the end of the month, and then I swear I am going on a reading binge.  I SWEAR!  That being said, I've almost completed my Goodreads challenge of 75 books.  I think that's pretty reasonable considering how much time my education takes up.

I'm sorry, but it's been yet another month of Luke Bryan on repeat.  I can't help it!  His voice is heveanly!

Okay, onto the point of today's post...