Saturday, 8 August 2015

Weekly Wrap-Up August 1st-7th



I managed to read five books this week. Two were graphic novels. One was a library e-book. One was an e-ARC. So that leaves one physical book.


No Limits(Ultimate #1) by Lori Foster ***
Review to come.


The Demon King(Seven Realms #1) by Cinda Williams Chima ****
For a book I really enjoyed I don't have much to say. I've had this box set sitting on my shelf for forever. I'm kicking myself for waiting this long to start it. Although the beginning was a little slow(which is a fantasy thing because of world building), by the half way mark I was hooked. I wasn't totally surprised by the twists, but that doesn't mean I didn't like them. Han is such an intelligent cunning guy. And Raisa, although is a spoiled princess, takes criticism and acknowledges her own faults very well. She's pretty kick ass. But is in the dark about how rough here kingdom is. I loved that when Amon(her BFF and palace guard(I love the palace guard/royalty romance)) mentions that's not how things run and the street, she is surprised yet doesn't get angry, just sets out to help and fix it. Now that's a good sign and trait of someone that will be queen. The ending was fantastic and makes it near impossible not to be pick up the sequel right away. Which is what I've done.

Better When He's Brave(Welcome to the Point #3) by Jay Crownover ****
Review will be up tomorrow.

Alex + Ada Volume 2 by Jonathan Luna ****
Great middle volume. The story really picked up and I liked the progression and growth of Alex and Ada's relationship. It felt quite realistic seeing as she's a robot.


Alex + Ada Volume 3 by Jonathan Luna ****
Going in I didn't realize this was the last volume. Which is good and sad. It makes it a quick graphic novel series, but it's also one I really liked, so more would have been excellent. Knowing where the story went, three volumes is enough. There wasn't anywhere else to go plot wise and it would have just dragged it out and made unnecessary conflict. So all in all a really quick, sweet and fun series.








A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on





Happy reading!

Brittany
Posted by at 1 comment:

Friday, 7 August 2015

Miniviews #26: Bounce & Pucked

Bounce by Noelle August
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: August 25th, 2015
Pages: 304
Series: Boomerang #3
Source: Edelweiss/Publisher
Rating: 3.5/5
The Boomerang trilogy is a great set of books to start with for readers new to NA or wanting to dip their toes in the genre. All three have been light and fun without being overly sexed up.
After meeting Grey in Rebound, I was super intrigued to get this rough hot musician to myself. So Bounce gives us Grey. Brother of one of the youngest, hottest CEO's(see Rebound to get his story). That promises a lot. Well unfortunately I did not fall in lust with Grey. Now he is a young guy; just 19. So I don't fault him for not having his life together. He knows he wants to make it with his band, how he does that he's figuring out. What I found him to be was recklessly immature. Like having a party at his brother's place and destroying it without thinking about consequences. And those "consequences" that come from it, not good enough. Anyhow, he was too much of an unnecessarily angry brat. But I didn't hate him. He had a heart and would show it. I just wanted more from Grey.
Grey has his meet cute with Skyler. They share some banter about smoking and than show some real sparks during an audition(Grey is only filling in as part of those consequences). Are forced to share a kiss that neither can then forget. Cute.
Skyler is just alright for me as well. She was just written like too many other ladies out there. Not ones I dislike, just there's an influx of them. Skyler is different with her pink hair and killer curves. She doesn't realize she's beautiful and special. You know those? Skyler does this audition in the hopes she can make some quick cash(she's a musician not an actress) and it turns out she's secretly super talented at acting. Queue sprised face. Like I said fun and cute, but not different.
The story flows really well and quickly. But suffers from insta lust merged way to quickly into love. Grey and Skyler strike up a friendship where they understand each other. But don't want to ruin that with sex. Which is fine to an extent. You're both falling for each other so deal with that better than pushing it to the side.
Writing is good. Bounce brings about body image in realistic way. And I thought the romance was sweet just to quick. Look forward to hopefully seeing more NA from this writing duo in the future.

Pucked by Helena Hunting
Publisher: Helena Hunting
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2015
Pages: 380
Series: Pucked #1
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4/5
I love how Hunting's writing and story telling seems to be so limitless. She can easily writing something so fantastically dark and angsty as Clipped Wings. To something as silly and romcom like as Pucked. Keeps readers on their toes.
Pucked is something you pick up when you want a good laugh drizzled with sexiness. Sports romances are a weakness of mine. Doesn't matter if I could careless about the sport. Throw it in with a good romance and I'm hooked. If you couldn't guess, Pucked is centered around hockey. Although I will watch hockey, I am not a fan. I know, bad Canadian. But Pucked was great. The atmosphere of the sport and this team of NHL players brought so much fun to the story whether on or off the ice.
Violet was super sassy. I would line up to be her bff. Violet is secure in her own skin well still adjusting to adulthood. Violet's step brother is a NHLer. Her step dad is a scout. Hockey is her life whether she wants it to be or not. That's where she meets Alex. Her stop brothers teammate, one of hockeys young stars and major player.
Oh Alex really proves the saying that looks can be deceiving. Alex might not be the player everyone(and I mean everyone) thinks he is. But Violet doesn't know that. She just knows that oops they had sex and it was amazing. Shouldn't do that again. Alex is such a sweetheart. I loved his juxtaposition of hard secure hockey player on ice, Off the ice he can be shy, a little insecure and totally sweet. That's how I would build up Violet's and Alex's relationship; plenty hot, great great banter and sweet.
Pucked is laugh out loud way too many times to count. The silliness just brings it. The things that come out of Violet's mouth could scar some ears. She's my kind of girl.
Pucked also has the added bonus of giving readers a tour of some my backyard. Hunting is a local author, so although the whole story isn't in Toronto and area. A good handful of scenes are. Not just Toronto but areas that would only be written about from a local author. It was great to read those pages and know where abouts Alex is from.
Give me more and more in this Pucked series. I want all the team to have their own books. K.Thanks.Bye.


Happy reading!

Brittany

Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, 5 August 2015

Top 5 Wednesday: Favourite Maps

Top 5 Wednesday is a meme started by Lainey at Ginger Reads Lainey. Find the list of all the #T5WFamily here.

 Maps! Who doesn't love a map in a book? It adds so much to the book. Makes it a more visceral reading experience. You can actually imagine the characters traveling across the land. You can reference the map whenever there's a change in scenery.

 The Earthsea Quartet by Ursula K. Le Guin
I actually haven't read this series. But that doesn't matter. This map is so unique. I love all the little islands. It actually makes me excited to get into the book so I can start to learn about this world.

Heir of Fire(Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas
Being my favourite fantasy series, don't act all surprised to see Throne of Glass included this week. Every book we discover more and more about the different lands. I really cannot wait to see what Queen of Shadows brings in a few weeks.

Finnikin of the Rock(Lumatere Chronicles #1) by Melina Marchetta
This has more to do with how much I love this trilogy and wanting to mention it whenever possible than how much I love the map. Don't get me wrong, this map is awesome. This world is awesome. I guess I love how simplistic it is. Makes it easier to imagine the world when reading.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
How could I not mention Middle Earth? That's blasphemy. Middle Earth is easily my favourite fantastical world. Plus this edition of The Hobbit is beautiful.

Siege and Storm(The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo
Talk about a beautiful map. Seriously. If I had a finished copy of Six of Crows I'd be showcasing that. But as it is the map of Ravka in Siege and Storm is easily as gorgeously done.


What are some of your favourite maps?

Happy reading!

Brittany
Posted by at 2 comments:

Tuesday, 4 August 2015

Review: How to Say I Love Out Loud by Karole Cozzo

How to Say I Love You Out Loud by Karole Cozzo

Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: August 4th, 2015
Pages: 240
Source: Netgalley/Publisher
Rating: 5/5
Add to Goodreads

Words are strong. Love is stronger.

When Jordyn Michaelson’s autistic brother joins her at her elite school, she’s determined not to let anyone know they're related. Even if that means closing herself off to all her closest friends, including charming football stud Alex Colby. But despite her best intentions, she just can't shake the memory of kissing Alex last summer, and the desire to do it again.

Can Jordyn find the courage to tell Alex how she really feels—and the truth about her family—before he slips away forever?

 What did I just read? Guys, this book is sooooooooo good. I was expecting a cutesy romance, but oh no, How to Say I Love You Out Loud is so much more. It's a book about acceptance, bravery and love. And I loved every single page of it(let's tally how many times I say love). Swoon Reads has delivered some cute and cheesy reads thus far. I've definitely liked what I've read so far. But still colour me surprised upon finishing How to Say I Love You Out Loud and realizing how well written and just on point this book is.

We meet Jordyn as she's start her junior year. As with her previous year at her high school she just wants to blend in well keeping her grades up and playing field hockey. Oh and she's also trying really hard to keep her feelings for her best friend, Alex under wraps. Which is becoming harder and harder, especially when he starts dating field hockey captain and senior, Leighton. As mentioned, Jordyn wants to be seen as little as possible, which means hiding her home life and her autistic brother, Phillip. Everything starts to change when, Phillip is sent to Jordyn's high school and she realizes she can no longer hide behind her hair. It's finally time that she speaks up about Phillip, Alex and what's important to her.

The funny thing with Jordyn is I can't remember there being a detailed description of her. Which fits really well with her whole blending in. If the reader couldn't tell her apart from her classmates than she's accomplishing her goal. I really really liked Jordyn. How to Say I Love You Out Loud was about Jordyn learning to embrace her life and not be afraid to speak out for herself and the people she loves, even when most of society will not understand. Jordyn could be super frustrating at times, but it's what made her realistic and relatable. She of course loves Phillip. But at a young age when your best friend turns the whole grade on you, ostracizes you because of your brother it can leave a lasting scar. See Phillip is on the spectrum of autism where he's very sensitive to noise. Well he's a very smart boy, his speech has not developed well. Phillip can talk, but most of what he says(and it's very little) usually would not make sense. His family has learned to interpret his sayings, whether it's a line from his favourite movie or what not. But Jordyn has never told her friends about her brother. I didn't see it as shameful or embarrassed. I  saw it more as a girl who was scared of what her friends and classmates would say. And that become very prevalent when Phillip is moved to her school and their classmates think it's wrong that crazies and retards should be allowed there.

Now here's the thing, I could so see where Jordyn was coming from. And that's what made her character progression so wonderful. There wasn't this one light bulb moment. It was over the course of the book that different people in her life gave her the courage to be brave. Like I mentioned earlier, this wasn't some cutesy romance(although the romance was cute). It was really about Jordyn learning to use her voice, especially on behalf of a brother that can't. It was great that all the characters were there as points to move her character development forward. I'll get into Alex in a moment. But Jordyn's parents are the kind of parents I need to see more of in YA. Especially her mom. What a strong and positive lady. Even when Jordyn was being a jerk about Phillip her mom would just show her how great of a kid he is.
I think my favourite bits were Leighton the "mean girl". Even though I far from liked her, she was loud and self centered even when she was being unintentional about it. Like when Leighton called Jordyn out about not sticking up for Phillip as she was being absolutely horrendous about him. She managed to bring Jordyn down but still make it about herself. How could Jordyn let Leighton say that shit in front of her, it doesn't make her(Leighton) look good. It was so manipulative yet absolutely what needed to be said to Jordyn.

Lets talk about the romance, because Alex is a whole bunch of swoon. When I say he's one of the most kind, generous and sweetest boys, I am not lying. Just an all around good guy. Totally know why Jordyn was crushing on him. The poor guy is also totally in love with Jordyn. But seeing as she's trying to blend in, that's stopped her from letting the relationship develop beyond friendship. Alex still doesn't push her, He's just supportive and caring. He wants Jordyn to see herself like he sees her. Alex wants her to see herself as brave. Alex wants her to be able to learn to depend and share herself more with the ones she loves. And it's all just so effing sweet. Seriously guys, Alex is adorable and I need him to present himself on my door step.

I was just so wonderfully and ecstatically surprised by how on point How to Say I Love You Out Loud was. It really is such a good feeling when you go into a book expecting one thing and get so much more. Jordyn learning to realize not everyone is going to understand Phillip, is okay. What matters is that she loves him and that she uses her voice to help people understand. I just love myself a positive message that comes from such a brilliant character journey.

Happy reading!

Brittany
Posted by at 1 comment:

Monday, 3 August 2015

Miniviews #25: Come Back to Me & This is One Moment

Come Back to Me by Mila Gray
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Publication Date: June 19th, 2014
Pages: 373
Series: Come Back to Me #1
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4/5
Add to Goodreads
I was in a real reading mood for military romance. I haven't read a bunch but it's always a topic I seem to love in my romance books. Probably because I have no first hand experience. So it kind of interests me. And usually can provide a more deep and emotional love story. Come Back to Me also gives me another of my favourite romance tropes; falling for brothers best friend. Jessa and Kit's story has you intrigued and invested by the end of the prologue. Not that I would have stopped reading otherwise. But the who's dead(Kit or Riley) hangs in the air for a good portion of the book. And even pretty much knowing(it is a romance) who the poor soul is, there's always that chance that the author will surprise you and destroy your feelings even more so. So we have the lead up to the death. And than the subsequent fall out. Both Jessa and Kit's families are military. Their dad's also have a history that includes a nasty fall out. Even with Riley and Kit being inseparable, the kids don't know what happened. Riley and Jessa's dad is suffering with PTSD, refusing to get help, which makes him a nasty man. Jessa being the kid at home, she has to tiptoe around the house and hide what her true passions are. Pretty much right away Jessa and Kit start their secret relationship. Kit and Riley are just back before being redeployed again in a few weeks. Kit finally decided enough is enough and acts on his long lingering feelings for Jessa.
I definitely really felt for Jessa. It's like she can't be herself because of her dad. She's honestly scared of what will happen. Jessa is a sweet and quiet girl. Kit is more on the carefree side. They both love hard. Kit is able to encourage Jessa to do what she wants. She wants to try out for a play so do it. Don't be scared of what your dad is going to do. You have to live for yourself. Which I think becomes a bit of a motto throughout the book. Kit and Riley head back on deployment after a lot of shit hitting the fan. And than the feels just take off from there. We know someone isn't coming home and shit, that's hard to read. Clearly because of spoilers there's not much I can say. But just know that even from something so devastating, happiness does eventually arise. People change for the better. The light becomes brighter as time moves forward. Gray was easily able to capture the emotional journey of the family. Her writing flowed seamlessly. Which lead to me having no problem(also needing to) read Come Back to Me in one go. Really really well done military focused romance.  

This is One Moment by Mila Gray
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Publication Date: September 10th, 2015
Pages: 384
Series: Come Back to Me #2
Source: Netgalley/Publisher
Rating: 4.5/5
God, I loved This is One Moment. The ending was a teeny bit cheesy, but seeing as it's a romance, that's to be expected. Otherwise on point. I liked Didi in Come Back to Me. She was fun and really loyal. So getting her POV unsurprisingly made me absolutely adore her. Didi's relationship with her parents is open and solid that I have to believe that rubbed off on how calm and grounded of a women she is. Didi is taking after her parents, she's studying psychology. Which leads her to taking a summer internship with her dad at a military hospital. This is where Didi meets Noel Walker. Walker is a patient at said hospital. This is one complex man. Walker is struggling to come to terms with his current life. Having been one of two survivors from a attack on his unit, he blames himself for not being able to safe all his men. That attack did a number on Walker's head and body. The hardest to deal with is his current blindness. Understandably this makes Walker grumpy and sullen. Especially when the doctors are telling him there's nothing physically wrong with his eyes. It's his subconscious. Walker needs to learn that it wasn't his fault. Has to forgive himself.
Let's get my feelings for Zac out of the way. I really felt nothing for him. He's absolutely clueless. He embodies how we imagine young, hot celebrities. I was questioning where Didi's head was at when it came to him. Silly girl.
Now Didi's and Walker's relationship I was 100% on board with upon the first not so stellar meeting. I loved how Didi didn't get scared off by his moods. She was patient and knew he just needed someone stable to be a friend to him. The small things that Didi would do, like giving him her iPod full of audio books, or helping him shave, was so what he needed. Walker didn't necessarily need someone to take his hand and guide him through life. He needed someone to tell him he's strong. He needed someone to talk to him like the normal man he is. He needed a friend. I love them together. Seriously, the progression of their relationship was so easy. Being in Walker's POV was extra emotional. Even just when he was needing someone to hold him because he missed human contact. It would break my heart. But than Didi was there to grab his hand. Their connection was so hot and sexy. Especially because Walker feel in love with Didi's personality. He would lust over just talking to her. Didi was going to be beautiful to him no matter what she looked like. Now that was effing sexy.
Like with Come Back to Me, Gray pulled in my heart with her emotional writing. The setting being an army hospital the injured marines were really captured in so many dynamics. Some have lost legs, arms, etc... And each one deals with their new lifestyle in a different way. From upbeat and positive to depression. Every marine has their story to tell and Gray told it. It's hard to read and not be constantly emotional. Walker and Didi's journey and relationship may have been the main focus but that didn't take away from me needing everyone to make a full recovery.

Happy reading!

Brittany

Posted by at 2 comments:

Sunday, 2 August 2015

Showcase Sunday #85


Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme held by Books, Biscuits and Tea. It allows fellow bloggers to show off any books or bookish things they've compiled over the week.

Hey, friends. Turns out I haven't done one of these in a month. Surprisingly I don't have a billion books to show yah. All but one of the physical books I've purchased have been read(whether recently or because I finally bought a print copy of it). Also two of my most anticipated releases are here. One I LOVED and one was a bit of a disappointment.
We'll overlook the amount of Netgalley books I've piled up on. I really can't resist that place. Plus I've got a bunch on request, so we'll see how many more I've got to show in my next haul...
Otherwise life wise I am no unemployed. Or how I see it, on permanent vacation. I'm spending time catching up on movies and shows I've been neglecting as well. I miss watching movies. 

Purchased

Lumberjanes Volume 1 by Noelle Stevenson
Armada by Ernest Cline

Sweet(Contours of the Heart #3) by Tammara Webber
Come Back to Me(Come Back to Me #1) by Mila Gray
Pucked(Pucked #1) by Helena Hunting
A Pound of Flesh(A Pound of Flesh #1) by Sophie Jackson

Sweet Filthy Boy(Wild Seasons #1) by Christina Lauren
Dirty Rowdy Thing(Wild Season #2) by Christina Lauren

Every Last Breath(Dark Elements #3) by Jennifer L Armentrout

E-Books Purchased
Kindle Freebie

For Review

The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow
Madly(Potion #1) by Amy Alward
**Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending these for review**

Netgalley

Edelweiss

Gifted

Prisoner of Night and Fog(Prisoner of Night and Fog #1) by Anne Blankman
**Thanks so much to Samantha for sending this on to me**

What did you guys get this week?

Happy reading!

Brittany

Posted by at 2 comments:

Saturday, 1 August 2015

Weekly Wrap-Up July 25th-31st


I managed to finish seven books this week. One was a graphic novel. Five were physical books and two were e-ARCs(e-books).
Note: I wanted to start including my Instagram week as well. So I have. I know they look out of place because the pictures are so big. But I'm so hopeless with website shit. I got it embedded and spent forever trying to make them smaller and such and obviously couldn't. So please overlook the largeness of the pictures and I swear I'll get it figured it out for next week. You guys are awesome.


Bounce(Boomerang #3) Noelle August ***
Review to come later in the month.


Lumberjanes Volume 1 Noelle Stevenson ****
I now officially love anything Noelle Stevenson is involved in. This is such a fun graphic novel. I love the artwork. But what I love more is the diversity and themes this touches on with this group of tweens/teen girls. They're kicking ass against random creatures and obstacles, well being funny and realistic.


Dream A Little Dream by Giovanna Fletcher ****
Review to come.


Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin **
I'm so far behind on the Brittany vs Samantha 2015 Challenge. So I decided I needed to dive back into. I picked the shortest book. Sorry, Samantha. I just didn't like Elsewhere. It was hard for me to suspend my believe on this one. And I think that really had to do with Lizzie. She was so annoying and bratty. I can understand being upset that you're dead, and you're missing your family, friends and life. But she was just took it to another level. You're kind of getting a second life. And now you can get to know your grandmother. Ugh. The story and writing was a little awkward as well. Overall I really only wanted more of the talking dogs. Everything else was meh.


Pucked(Pucked #1) by Helena Hunting ****
Review to come.


Sweet(Contours of the Heart #3) by Tammara Webber ***
Review to come.


How to Say I Love You Out Loud by Karole Cozzo *****
Review to come next week.


A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on

A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on

A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on

A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on

A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on

A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on

A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on

A photo posted by Brittany (@britsreadinglife) on

Happy reading!

Brittany
Posted by at 4 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)