Top 10 Books I Love But Never Talk About

I've finally figured out why I haven't been blogging as much as I should have been. I finally took off my acrylic nails the other day and now the words are just flowing out of me. I realized that the month or so of not posting when I should have been was caused by it being extremely annoying/difficult to type with fake nails. I'm probably won't be doing that again for a very long while.

10. The Grey Wolves Series

I honestly don’t know why I’ve never mentioned these, This series is right up my alley and something I think my YA-loving readers would also love. This series centers around three best friends and their discovery of werewolves. Lots of romance and lots of paranormal action. 

9. Arranged

You all know I love Sara Wolf, she has written some of my favorite books and this is one of them. I probably don’t talk about this duology as much as her other books because the protagonist isn’t quite as savage as her other leads, but it’s still a hilarious book and full of drama. I love the two lead characters and I love the plot even more.

8. Stage Dive Series

I’ve mentioned Lead, the third novel in the series, once and that was for the best rockstar romances post. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s the only time I’ve mentioned the series on my blog before. I just love the authors writing style so much. I love all of her characters so much, I felt like I knew them after reading this series. And if you are into NA rockstar romances then I think you’d enjoy this one too.

7. Wait For You

This is one of the stepping stone New Adult romances that made me fall in love with the genre. I read it years ago and it’s pretty fundamental to my love of NA. It actually makes me sad realizing that I never really talk about it.

6. The Green Mile

I know I mention it every once in a while saying that it’s really sad, but I feel like I’ve never actually made it clear that I think it’s an amazing book. it had so much depth in plot and in the characters that were in it. 

5. Bloodlines series

I often talk about my love of the Vampire Academy series but I never seem to mention how much I really loved the Bloodlines series. I still prefer Rose and Dimitri, but i still love Sydney and Adrian. 

4. Stolen Songbird

I read this this year and have only mentioned it in my monthly wrap up. I started writing a review and just never finished writing it. I do plan on finishing it and it was actually part of my mid year giveaway that just ended last night. That shows you just how much I really did enjoy the book.

3. The Collector

I never really seem to talk about this one because it was only the first book that I actually liked.  The next two novels just didn’t do it for me and I found Charlie got really annoying. However, the protagonist Dante was really funny and I loved the unique perspective and idea of the book.

2. Inkheart

This was a book about books! It was so meta and I loved it. It was dark and weird and had no hint of romance in it. I feel like as I’ve gotten older I’ve enjoyed books with romantic plot lines a lot more than just plain action and adventure, but this was one of those books that I loved despite there being no hint of romance. It was all about the magic. And maybe I don’t really talk about it because I’m so romance heavy, but what I’m trying to say is that it deserves recognition.

1. The Dead List 

This was originally published on Wattpad by Jennifer L. Armentrout and it was pretty amazing. This is actually the second book by that author on this list and maybe that’s why the two of them are on here, she’s just written so many books that I just can’t give props to them all. Anyway, the is a very YA murder mystery/thriller and is deinfitly worth the read. I think about what happens in this book a lot more than I would like to admit.

What are some of your favorite books that you don't feel like you talk about enough?

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Want You Spoiler Free Review

Want You
by Jen Frederick

Release Date: July 1st, 2018

Synopsis:

Bitsy: I might be only nineteen, but I know what I want. It’s Leka Moore. I don’t care that he took me in when he was barely more than a kid himself. I don’t care that he raised me. I don’t care everyone thinks being with him is wrong. I know we belong together, and the only person I need to convince is him.

Leka: I found her in the corner of a dark alley. If I hadn’t taken her with me, she would’ve died that night—or maybe worse. Before I knew it, she became the light in my dark life, the haven from the madness. I watched her grow up. I tried to teach her right from wrong. Now that she’s an adult, I’m feeling things that no good man should ever feel. But then…I’ve never been a good man. I have a chance at redemption by saving her from the greatest danger of all—me.

My Thoughts:

I received an ARC for an honest review

I gave this book 5 stars. It has taken me a while to actually get a review for this book written and I feel kinda bad about it, but it’s okay because I’m finally getting to it now.

My initial thought was that this book reminded me of one I read a few months prior to the release of this one called the Boy and His Ribbon. Had a pretty similar premise, a boy takes a young girl under his wing. Neither of them has good lives they’re pretty much street rats and are often seen as siblings. 

If you’ve been reading my blog posts for the past few months you know I really loved the Boy and His Ribbon but it absolutely ripped me to shreds. I’m happy to say that with this one it wasn’t quite as traumatizing and I’m now happy to replace the horrible memorize I had of the first book and replace them of happy memorize of Want You. Basically, Want You is how I wanted the Boy and His Ribbon to end, but after a quick skim read of the sequel to that one I knew I wouldn’t be getting what I wanted out of it. 

Want You follows Leka and Bitsy, two troubled “orphans”. It takes place over several years as the two grow up together. The two have an overwhelming chemistry that the two skirted around for quite some time. 

There are some parts that got a bit brutal, but it wasn’t anything too bad so if you’re worried about that don’t worry, nothing too horrible happens in this book. 

Overall, I would highly recommend this book. It had a perfect combination of a slow-burning romance and some thrilling subplots. Also, if you liked the Boy and His Ribbon, but wanted something with a nicer ending, I would highly recommend this one.

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The Peer and the Puppet Spoiler Free Review

The Peer and the Puppet
by B. B. Reid

Release Date: July 22nd, 2018

Synopsis:

THE PUPPET

Borrow the bike. Win the race. Collect the cash. It should've been an easy job. Ran out of town with a broken leg and a lawsuit, my mother's latest flame swoops in like a knight in gilded armor. Blackwood Keep is a place I don't belong, and I'm not the only one who knows. To the boy across the hall, my savior's only son, I'm a stray looking for a bone.

He's lord of the manor.

King of the academy.

And number one on my shit list.

THE PEER

I have no intentions of becoming a happy family with the social climber and her wild daughter. A bottle of Jameson and a cracked skull gets my problem shipped to reform school, but I didn't bank on her returning.

Four's out to get even, and she almost had the perfect plan: expose the privileged kid moonlighting as a gangbanger. She's smart, but she'll have to be smarter. Sending her away won't be good enough this time. I'm going to have to tame the little troublemaker. To the girl across the hall, the one without a name, I'm nothing without my silver spoon.

She's lady of the trailer park.

Queen of the swamps.

And my new favorite pastime.

The Peer and the Puppet is a standalone romance, however, the series is one story. The plot introduced in Four and Ever's story will continue in the following novels. Content suitable for 18+.

My Thoughts:

I received an ARC for an honest review

I gave this book 5 stars. I was so excited to get this book and once I did I read it straight through. I was on vacation in New York and I was supposed to be sightseeing and shopping, but I literally took every chance I could to just stop and read this book.

Originally this novel was supposed to be released back in March, but the author felt it wasn’t the best it could be and so, it was put off for many long difficult months.

The Peer and the Puppet was everything I wasn’t expecting and it blew me away. I loved the main characters and loved their chemistry.

Four is from the wrong side of the tracks, but she’s also southern which to me painted a pretty funny picture. She was extremely street smart but was described as having a really strong southern accent and to me, that was just hilarious.

Ever is the privileged rich boy with a chip on his shoulder. I found he was a bit different than some of the author's previous romantic interests in that he seemed a lot softer. I was actually glad to see some flexibility in how the author writes her characters as I definitely found that softer side more fitting of Ever’s background.

The fact that the whole mean girl aspect of the story was flipped on its head with Barbie made me really happy. Barbie wasn’t what she seemed to be and was really misinterpreted for the majority of the book, but once you get to know more about her you start to understand her motive for things. 

It has been confirmed that there are going to be at least two sequels to this novel about other characters, but something else I would love is if we would get an eventual sequel for Four and Ever as there is a loose end that definitely still needs to be tied up.

This is a book I would recommend for lovers of Penelope Douglas books, other B. B. Reid novels, and the Royals series by Erin Watt. This is definitely within the clique.

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June Wrap Up

I decided to do something a little different and include the shows and movies I've watched this month along with all the books! I always say I want to do movie reviews and I just never have.

1. In Her Blood

I gave this book 2.5 stars. This book could not keep a consistent plot and it drove me absolutely crazy. I’m not gonna read the rest of the books in this series for fear of losing my goddamn mind.

2. Hamlet

I gave this book 5 stars. I am not a lover of William Shakespeare, however, I am a lover of Hamlet. Hamlet was just so over dramatic and him pretending to be crazy was probably the greatest thing I’ve ever read and I honestly just want to read some YA versions of Hamlet. If you have any recommendations let me have em.

3. Bring Me Their Hearts

I gave this book 4.5 stars. It’s a hardcore fantasy book with a hell of a sense of humor. If you like Sara Wolf’s previous works then I would definitely suggest this one. Also if you’ve never read a Sara Wolf book before I would highly suggest this one.

4. The Matchmaker

I gave this book 4 stars. It was a really fun book to read. It was full of sexy moments and I couldn’t seem to put it down once I got started. It thankfully also had an exciting plot to go along with the sexy scenes. If you’re looking for a light steamy read, this one is for you.

5. Deadpool 2

I gave this movie 5 stars. And then 5 more. This movie makes you laugh even when all you want to do is cry. I can’t even describe to you what this movie has achieved. I did end up crying, but not until the end where I was actually very touched. If you loved the first Deadpool movie then this one is perfect for you. They made a sequel that may even be better than the first.

6. The Cruel Prince

I gave this book 4.5 stars. I binged this. I had previously read one other Holly Black novel and felt nowhere near as much for that one as I did for this. Politics and fairies and a pinch of possible romance. If any of these sound intriguing to you, you may want to pick this up.

7. The Similars

I gave this book 4.25 stars. This book had a futuristic take on the events today. You could 100% draw parallels from modern day America and the fictions world of the Similars. I loved the input this novel had while being creative about it and it had a lot of the YA factors that I love.

8. Sweet Little Thing

I gave this book 3.5 stars.  It wasn’t my favorite Abbi Glines book but I still binge read it, so it wasn’t that bad. Would only suggest this to a romance lover.

9. Max

I gave this book 3 stars. I don’t know what I expected but it wasn’t this. Doubt I’ll ever read it again.

10. Change of Heart

I gave this book 5 stars. This was sexy and adorable it was just what I needed after reading and being disappointed by Max. This is the gay romance I wanted!

11. Want You

I gave this book 5 stars. I reminded me of a less heartbreaking version of The Boy and His Ribbon and I loved that. 

12. Jurassic World

I gave this movie 4.5 stars. I had such a good time watching this and the chemistry between Owen and Claire was phenomenal. This was a different side to Chris Pratt and I loved it.

13. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

I gave this movie 4.5 stars. I liked it just as much as the first one. I loved how these movies never pulled any punches when it came to killing off characters. I also loved how Claire and Owen’s relationship progressed after the first movie. It wasn’t a “they lived happily ever after” sort of thing. The chemistry from the first movie is still there and I’m excited for the third one. Also, I love Blue.

14. Set It Up

I gave this movie 4 stars. It was a fun rom-com that had Lucy Liu in it so obviously, I loved it. Lucy Liu is my favorite.

15. The Lighting-Struck Heart

I gave this book 4 stars. This was a really long book. I didn’t read it quickly at all. However, I had a really fun time reading it. It was a fun book with fun characters. I know I’m saying fun a lot, but I feel that’s what this book is all about.

16. Sweet Little Lies

I gave this book 4 stars. Better than the first one, I loved certain changes that happened in this book. I found them to be more likable.

17. Sweet Little Memories

I gave this book 4 stars. I don’t have much else to say about this series.

What did you guys read/watch this month?

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The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag

Since I see absolutely everyone doing this tag, I guess I’ll do it too. I will link the two creators here and here. 

Now that I am finally on Summer Vacation I promise I will actually have more content up for you guys. My next post will either be my June Wrap Up because I actually have one for June, or it'll be a Top 5 Wednesday. Pinky Swear.

1 - THE BEST BOOK YOU'VE READ SO FAR IN 2018

Wolfsong by T. J. Klune. I can’t even describe how much I loved this book. It's full of magic and emotion and it's extremely gay and I love it.

2 - YOUR FAVOURITE SEQUEL THIS YEAR

Leah on the Offbeat was by far the best I’ve read this year. I mean there are some others that are pretty good but this was my favorite.

3 - A NEW RELEASE THAT YOU HAVEN'T READ BUT YOU REALLY WANT TO

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas. I preordered this book, it came in the mail, I read the first five pages, then I put it down and started reading other books.

4 - MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

This is a three-way tie between the Darkest Star by Jennifer L Armentrout, Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas, and Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare. I have all three preordered and I want them all in my hands right this minute.

5 - YOUR BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT 

Burn Before Reading Sara Wolf. Sara Wolf is one of my favorite authors and I expected so much more from this book. It just fell very flat for me.

6 - BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE YEAR

Lover Enshrined by J. R. Ward. I put off reading this book for years and then I read it and loved it. I didn't expect much because when I looked at reviews the general consensus was that it wasn't as good as the others, but I wholeheartedly disagree.

7 - FAVOURITE NEW TO YOU OR DEBUT AUTHOR

Samantha Shannon. I read the Bone Season and fell in love. It was so well written and I can't wait to read the next installment.

8 - YOUR NEW FICTIONAL CRUSH

This was so hard because the older I get the harder it is for my book boyfriends to win me over. That's why I talk about all the same ones over and over again. However, if I had to choose one it would be Audric from Furyborn. I don't know what it is about him, but I feel like he's very Gryffindor and he's actually good and perfectly combats Rielle's anger.

9 - NEW FAVOURITE CHARACTER

Rielle from Furyborn. I tried my best to not have any books repeating, but I honestly had to choose Rielle because although I know her future and what she does, I can't help but relate with her more than any of the other characters.

10 - A BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

It Ends With Us because this was such a heartwrenching book. This is one of those books you have to go in knowing nothing about. Don't read the reviews, don't look at the tags, don't read any comments, just go out and read it.

11 - A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

Last Summer of the Garrett Girls, it was just such a short fun book about four sisters. I myself have a sister and I can say that I made a connection with it because it did remind me of my sister.

12 - YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION THAT YOU'VE SEEN THIS YEAR

Love, Simon because even though it wasn’t a perfect adaptation to the book it was still pretty fucking good and it meant so much to so many people so I could never say a bad thing about it.

13 - FAVOURITE BLOG POST YOU'VE PUBLISHED THIS YEAR

After perusing my blog posts I decided on a book tag that I created called The End book tag. I just had such a good time creating it and I was so proud of myself because I had never seen anything like it that I know of. The post itself didn't do as well as I had hoped but I had a fun time making it.

14 - THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU HAVE BOUGHT/RECEIVED THIS YEAR

(Credit)

The Cruel Prince because wow. If you take off the dust jacket there is the most beautiful imprint on the book.

15 - WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BOOKS THAT YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR?

Honestly, just look at question 4. Those are the books I for sure need to read this year. Plus It by Stephen King.

Also, if you were not already aware, I have a mid yeaar favorite giveaway happening on my blog! Anyone can enter I'll leave a link for you to check out here.

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