March Wrap Up and April TBR

I think I had a pretty good month. There was a bit of a rough patch in the middle, but I think I made up for that.

1. Witch's Journey by Karen McCullough

I gave this book 4 stars. I generally just had a good time reading this book. I didn't hate any of the characters, I honestly just flew though it.

2. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I gave this book 5 stars. I absolutely loved this book. I always wanted to put down whatever I was doing at the moment so I could pick this book up and read on. It was glorious.

3. The Professional by Kresley Cole

I gave this book 4 stars. I love Kresley Cole's books. This one is just a no brainer.

4. Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein

I gave this book 5 stars. The drama! The conflict!

5. Shadow's Seduction by Kresley Cole

I gave this book 5 stars. My most read author of the month! This was a really good book.

6. The Castaway by Jessika Fleck

I gave this book 3 stars. A bit slow to start, but it got really good, really quickly.

7. Friends Without Benefits by Penny Reid

I gave this book 4 stars. It was cute and funny, I couldn't not like it.

8. Pretty Fierce by Kieran Scott

I gave this book 3 stars. Not my favourite, but it did have it's good aspects. Really cool plot.

9. Birthright by Jessica Ruddick

I gave this book 5 stars. Like a mix of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Jessica Sorensen's writing. I loved it.

10. Nowhere but Here by Katie McGarry

I gave this book 4 stars. Not my favourite book by this author, but not a terrible book in general.

11. Why I Loathe Sterling Lane by Ingrid Paulson

I gave this book 4 stars. I had a love hate relationship with the characters, but I did warm up to them. Actually a really good book.

12. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

I gave this book 5 stars. I didn't go into this with very high standards, but I left with very very high expectations for the Sun is Also a Star. It better not disappoint. I loved this book so much.

13. Sweet Water by Lena North

I gave this book 5 stars. I didn't think this book could be as good as the first, but I was wrong. I could not put this book down, it was that good.

14. Night by Elie Wiesel

I gave this book 5 stars. I was very close to crying while reading this book. It just packs a huge emotional punch. Something everyone should read.

15. Royce Rolls by Margaret Stohl

I gave this book 4 stars. Once it was rolling it wouldn't stop. It just went downhill from there. I stayed up half the night to finish it. And then write a review for it, because dedication.


Holy shit! 15 books! That's only counting the ones I bother to mention. I think this may just be a personal high. To be fair, I had spring break, so lots of spare time. Also, this is a record for the amount of ARCs I've read in a month 8 whole ARCs, that's high for me. Anyway, time for my April TBR.

1. Descendants by Rae Else

I am currently reading this, so I better finish this in April.

2. Ten Birthdays by Kerry Wilkinson

I will be reading this as soon as I finish Descendants. maybe also after the next one.

3. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

I am also currently reading this, so I better finish it in April.

4. The Lightning Thief Graphic Novel

I'm halfway through! I just sort of put it down last week and forgot about it, or else it would have been a part of my wrap up. Le sigh. I suck.

5. Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Every time I look at my shelf and think: What should I read soon? My eyes zone in on it. It's just so pretty!

I really shouldn't try to read so many specific books. I'm really quite bad at sticking to books I say I'm gonna read.

What books did you guys read in March? Which books are you planning to read in April?

Royce Rolls Spoiler Free Review

Royce Rolls
By Margaret Stohl

Release Date: April 6th, 2017

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Bentley Royce seems to have it all: an actual Bentley, tuition to a fancy private school, lavish vacations, and everything else that comes along with being an LA starlet. But after five seasons on her family's reality show, Rolling with the Royces, and a lifetime of dealing with her narcissistic sister, Porsche, media-obsessed mother, Mercedes, and somewhat clueless brother, Maybach, Bentley wants out. Luckily for her, without a hook for season six, cancellation is looming and freedom is nigh. With their lifestyle on the brink, however, Bentley's family starts to crumble, and one thing becomes startlingly clear--without the show, there is no family. And since Bentley loves her family, she has to do the unthinkable--save the show. But when her future brother-in-law's car goes over a cliff with both Bentley and her sister's fianc inside-on the day of the big made-for-TV wedding, no less-things get real. 

Really real. Like, not reality show real.

Told in a tongue-in-cheek voice that takes a swipe at all things Hollywood, Royce Rolls is a laugh-out-loud funny romp with an LA noir twist about what it means to grow up with the cameras rolling and what really happens behind the scenes.

My Thoughts:

***I received and ARC through NetGalley***

I gave this book 4 stars. I have to admit, I really wasn’t loving this book in the start, which is why it has taken me so long to finally finish it. I’m glad I did finally get though it though, I really liked this book.

The format of this book took a bit of getting used to. It was a bit confusing, cause one moment it would be the actual story, then it would be a series of tweets and then suddenly an article. I don’t know if it as just really confusing because I read an eGalley, or if it’s just really confusing in general.

It took some time, but I came to love all of the characters. All of them. Despite their numerous flaws, you could see that they were still human. They had issues and they had compassion and love. These characters have stolen my heart. I have to say, if this was actually a reality show, I would probably watch it. This is a high compliment considering I never watch reality tv.

The last quarter of the book was definitely the best. I seem to have this thing were I don’t really like the first half or so of books, but I love their climaxes. The climax of this book, personally saved it for me, I had an incredible time. Lots of glorious drama.

This is the first book of Stohl’s that I’ve attempted to read since I tried to get through Beautiful Creatures, and I have to say, I enjoyed this book enough to give BC another try.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. Maybe not if you aren’t into drama, or really don’t like reality tv and the likes.

Also, I quickly have to mention that I totally love the cover. 

Complimenting Books I Didn't Like

I've been working on being more positive and not being as hateful about things. So I decided, why not start with books I didn't like. Give each of them a compliment. It will make me feel better.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

I really liked the first line of the book. It was interesting, makes you want to know more about what's going to happen. “I’d never given much thought to how I would die — though I’d had reason enough in the last few months — but if I had, I would not have imagined it like this.”

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

This book has my book husband, Finnick Odair. I just can't completely hate anything that has him in it.

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

While this book was really dark at times, it kept it from getting too dark with a great sense of humour. This book made me laugh. A lot.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

While there were many times that Tris bothered me, I couldn't help but admire her dedication. She was strong and stubborn, she knew what she needed to do and she did it.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Shakespearian burns are honestly the sickest of the all. As much as I hated the actual story, the humour was a 10/10. Especially Mercutio, he's my baby.

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Even though I found this book incredibly boring, I can't help but respect what the author was trying to convey; If left on there own, humans will fall into utter mayhem. He did a good job of showing this.

The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towe

The last third of the book had me on the edge of my seat. Not all the drama in this book was bad, some of it I lived for.

The House of Night Series by P. C. and Kristen Cast

I really liked the magical system in these books. I thought it was pretty rad, if I do say so myself. I also liked Aphrodite, I probably would have liked the series more if she had been the protagonist. She'd be the antihero of my dreams.

What's a book you hate and something you liked about it?

Love Triangle Rant

I recently decided that I wanted to occasionally rant about things. One of the things I happen to hate the most in books, are the tropes. My least favorite being the Love Triangle. I can not express to you how much I hate the Love Triangle, but I'm going to do my very best right now.

One of my biggest issues with the Love Triangle is that, the person in the middle of it shouldn't be leading two people on. It's going to end with a lot more tears than if they had just figured it out in the beginning. It just seems extra cruel for someone to drag it out like that, it also makes me dislike that character more and more.

Another is the fact that that character couldn't choose in the first place. How can you not know who you love more? I know there are certain situations where maybe one of them is better for you than the other. Or maybe the one you truly love is dead or in jail or something, but this just leads right back to the first. If you are harbouring feelings for someone else and you can't completely invest yourself in the relationship you are in, then what are you doing. So many book characters do this and it drive me nuts. This does not happen in real life.

Now possibly the worst part about all of this is when you're reading a book and the character chooses the one who you didn't want them to end up with. For example, (Spoilers for the Nightshade Series by Andrea Cremer) when I was reading the original Nightshade Trilogy I loved Ren. Ren was my baby and I wanted to marry him and have his babies. I also particularly shipped him with the lead Calla. To me they just seemed to have so much more chemistry than Calla and Shay. They also had history, honestly they were like a match made in heaven. Alas, Calla chose Shay, who I hate with all of my soul. I was heartbroken. Honestly, I can't even reread the series because I am still so mad about it.

What's even worse is when you like both of the love interests. It's then almost impossible to choose who you would like the character in the middle to choose. Either way, you will feel heartbreak, unless it's under one of those very rare circumstances that one of them decides they would be better off as friends with the character in the middle. This is a rare case though, so it doesn't apply as much.

Also, when there is a love triangle I get distracted form the actual story. I don't care what happens, I just want to find out who the person chooses in the end. Therefore I tend to enjoy the plot of stories with Love Triangles less than stories without love triangles. It just really sucks getting distracted by something so stupid.

My point is that the Love Triangle will cause you lots of drama and heartbreak. I don't need that kind of drama in my life, I don't have any at all and I'm happy with that. Love Triangles just add extra stress to my life.

Do you guys agree? I would love to hear your thoughts

Sweet Water Spoiler Free Review

Sweet Water
by Lena North

Release Date: March 31st, 2017

Synopsis:

Jiminella “Jinx” Sweetwater is a genius. She’s a scholar, an inventor, hardworking and loyal, and well known in the scientific circles around the University in Prosper City.

Being smarter than everyone else might seem like a good thing, but it isn’t. At least, it isn’t to Jinx who has two friends, a small condo, and no life.

After a fight with her best friend Wilder, it just gets worse. Someone breaks into her home and when her parents show up in all their hippie-like glory, Jinx has had enough and escapes to a small village by the sea.

Suddenly, Jinx finds herself involved in village life, living with the unpleasant Mrs. Fratinelli and trying her best to juggle all the things that end up on her plate. And then there’s calm, cool and gorgeous Dante – Snow’s boyfriend, who seems to see right through the shields Jinx has put up around herself, straight into her mind. 

My Thoughts:

***I received and ARC though NetGalley***

I gave this book 5 stars. Honestly, my expectations were a bit low going into this, not because I didn't like the first book, but because I didn't particularly like Jinx that much in Wilder. I was completely wrong in my assumptions that I would dislike this book. I loved it, it was exciting and had lots of twists and turns, I could not get enough. I basically read the entire thing in one sitting. That good.

I was so happy that I got more of Bozo. He's got to be my favourite character in this series. He's outrageous and funny. Any part with him in it is going to be a good scene. No doubt in my mind.

I grew to love Jinx in this book. She was a bit more closed off in the first book, but I guess that's just because she doesn't tell others much about herself and her past. Getting to know her in this book was great. Her story was so captivating. Her as a person is absolutely captivating. She was not the person I first judged her to be.

Okay, so I guess this is only a spoiler if you haven't read the first book, in which case check out my review for Wilder here. Okay continuing on, I was also a bit apprehensive bout reading it because I thought there was going to be some cheating going on on Dante's part. You'll understand what I mean if you've read Wilder. I am happy to say that this never happens and it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders because there is nothing I hate more than people cheating in books.

I liked how there was a bit of magic sprinkled in. It wasn't the whole plot line, that wasn't what it was about. It was about people who had magic that were living their everyday lives. Not all their conflicts had to do with magic. They had problems other than magical ones. You don't normally see that in books with magic. Magic always seems to cause the conflict.

Overall, I loved this book. You should read it. I would suggest reading Wilder first. I mean, you probably could read this one as a stand alone, but I would not recommend that at all.

Everything Everything Review

Everything Everything
by Nicola Yoon

Spoilers

Synopsis:

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. 

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 5 stars. Contemporary has never been and probably never will be my genre of choice. Which means me loving this book so much came at a bit of a surprise. 

This book was just full of so much fluff. It was just so cute that I just had this warm feeling in my chest just reading it. 

The way this book was written had me latched on from the get go. It was just such a quick read. The way the chapters went, they were barely chapters so I would keep telling myself "just one more chapter" and the next thing you know, I'm halfway through the book and it's 3 in the morning.

I feel like I would get along really well with Maddy. She seems to have the same taste in books that i do. She thinks Lord of the Flies was boring and The Little Prince was packed full of meaning and emotions. I wish she was real.

Olly is such a good guy. Kind and sweet and funny. I need an Olly in my life. He goes out of his way to protect his family and the people he cares about. Willing to help Maddy when she realizes she needs to live her life. 

Maddy reminds me of a Disney princess. Most specifically Rapunzel. She was locked away for 18 years and finally realized that her mother was lying to her, claiming to keep her away from harm. All of this was for her mothers gain. the only difference is that Maddy's mother was mentally ill, mother Gothel was not.

I just have to say, whenever they mentioned humahumunukunukuapuaa my mind instantly goes to High School Musical 2. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but a little bit distracting. My fault entirely.

I also just wateched the movie trailer for this book and I'm really hyped now. There are actual quotes from the book in the trailer. I think this is actually going to be a good one. Fingers crossed.

I spent a lot of time while reading the book, wondering how they were gonna get past the hurdle of Maddy being allergic to everything. I was happily surprised to find out she isn't actually.

The ending made me happy. The reason I don't always like contemporaries is that for some reason I expect some sort of happy ending. If it's too vague or sad then I probably won't like that book. This, while leaving what happens after as a bit of a ... still had a bit of happiness to it. Maddy and Olly reunited and were in love. I really would love if there was even a small epilogue to it. I just want more of them. It was a beautiful ending.

Overall, you really need to read this book and I really need to read The Sun is Also a Star. 

Quotes:

“Maybe growing up means disappointing the people we love.” 

“Spoiler alert: Love is worth everything. Everything.” 

“Life is a gift. Don't forget to live it.” 

“Sometimes I reread my favorite books from back to front. I start with the last chapter and read backward until I get to the beginning. When you read this way, characters go from hope to despair, from self-knowledge to doubt. In love stories, couples start out as lovers and end as strangers. Coming-of-age books become stories of losing your way. Your favorite characters come back to life.” 

“I was happy before I met him. But I’m alive now, and those are not the same thing.”