The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher

Read in: June, 2013

Format: ARC e-book

Source: Netgalley.com

Star Rating: ★★★★

Netgalley sent me an ARC of the S-Word to review and offer my own opinion and honest review. My review can be used for press and will be sent off to the publishing house. 

Synopsis:

Angie. Kennedy. Jessie. Drake. Lizzie. One slut covered locker..even after death. 

Everyone has a secret. 

Everyone knows what Lizzie did behind Angie's back. 

Everyone knows who targeted her. 

But what really happened? 

Angie finds out the secret Lizzie died keeping. But will she keep it to herself? 

Prosecution:

Who really knows what happens in high school? Who knows what's going on in the life of the girl you called anorexic? Or the girl who got pregnant? Do you know? I didn't know what was happening in the halls of her high school. Until Angie uncovered a secret. 

This secret was so huge, it had to be broadcasted and everyone had to be condemned. 

Did she go about this all wrong? Uh, yeah. 

Defense:

Oh w o w. Angie, who knew. You are a little psychotic. But who isn't..once they've reached the breaking point. 

Verdict:

Four stars. There were more than a few dry spells but the twist is something to hang around for. 

Creation by Kat Mellon

Read in: June, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Author

Star Rating: ★★★

The author sent me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. In no way has this changed my opinion on the novel or the following review. 

Wow! This is a major and tough look at an alternative society that blows your mind. Two residents of a center who's sole purpose is to benefit a society minds are suddenly blown wide open.

Synopsis: 
Creation. Left brain thinkers are sent off to a brainwashed society run home where their writings, paintings, thoughts are all taken away and sent off to benefit society. 

Prosecution:

Way too short! The ending was a little took good to be sure, but I would love to read the sequel. Do the residents guards come after the two escapees? How can they hide their creativity that hasn't run out? 

Defense: 

Short, sweet, and to the point. Creation had notes of Ayn Rands' Anthem and Lois Lowrys' The Giver, with its own special twist. The idea of housing all of the "creative" people together under one house and using their creations to better the rest of society did have a Utopian feeling but was a little eery. 

Verdict:

A solid three stars. A short read that filled up a rainy evening was just the ticket! Great dystopian read but isn't too memorable. 

A Shade of Blood (A Shade fo Vampire #2) by Bella Forrest

Read in: June, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Author

Star Rating: ★★★★

The Author gave me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. In no way has this changed my opinion of the novel or the following review. 

Synopsis: 

So now, little Miss Sofia Claremont is finally back home...but the outcome is far different from what she thought it might be like. She's been welcomed home with less enthusiasm, while Ben is pushing for more. Way more than Sofia is willing to give, while her sketchbook is being filled with more and more drawings of Derek. 

So how is drop-dead (teehee)- sexy Derek? Miserable while the Darkness is coming.. He's being a bully. Oops. 

Twists continue to ensue. 

Spoilers are dying to be given right now, but, I'm just not that kind of girl. 

Prosecution:

The only thing I had a problem with was the fact that I spent almost HALF of the book without a Sofia and Derek reunion. I needed some more of their romance! 

Defense:

Finally, the door has been shut on Ben. I've never particularly cared for his character, he seems rather cowardly. Sofia is as brave as ever, especially at the end! I just cannot possibly wait for the next installment of this series. Will Sofia be turned vampire? Will Lucas catch up with her? What about Ben? Too. Many. Questions!! 

Verdict: 

Four stars! I love love love the romance between Derek and Sofia, but still HAVE to know more about the history behind the Shade and what the future entails. Definitely can't wait for the next book. Bella Forrest is soon becoming one of my favorite authors! 

About the Author: 

Bella Forrest is an avid reader, traveler, and night owl. Connect with her on Goodreads, Facebook, and her Website! 

Merch Girl by Rebecca Lewis

 

Read in: May,2013

Format: eBook

Source: Author

Star Rating: ★★

The author provided me with a copy of this novel. This has in no way altered my opinion of the novel, along with the following review. If you have any question or concerns, please message me here. 

Synopsis: 

Lacey Kind is embarking on the summer of a lifetime. After scoring a gig as a Merch Girl for her absolute favorite band, she and her best friend Trina are on the ride of their lives. Even if this summer could involved some hot band members, a jealous ex-best friend, and an obnoxious blogger, Lacey Kind is about to get a whole new education in tours, boys, and the final freedom before college. 

Prosecution:

I just didn't feel much spark or chemistry. The romance was keyed down a little too much, that it didn't feel real. I wasn't sucked in. Even when the story was trying to go for crazy roller coaster emotions, I just wasn't feeling it. 

Defense:

How could you not love Jenna having Karma bite her? Or Logan, with his fleeting sweet moments? 

Verdict:

A low three. I didn't feel a kick or a punch and it just felt like watching from the sidelines of a very bad soap opera. There was no pizzazz or emotion. The story itself wasn't half bad, but maybe with more dialogue and a plot twist, this could have gone over better. 

A Shade of Vampire (A Shade of Vampire #1) by Bella Forrest

Read in: May, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Author

Star Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis: 

Sofia Claremont has just landed herself in a predicament. While taking an angst ridden stroll along the shoreline, she's taken away by Lucas Novak, an Elite Vampire. Waking up in a dungeon, she faces near death before being delivered to the freshly awaken Derek, who's been slumbering for 400 years. Shaking with terror herself, Sofia comforts the shaking girl next to her, which Derek takes notice of. With this small act of compassion and humanity, she is chosen by Derek as his favorite. But is this enough for him, and ultimately, for their destiny? 

Prosecution:

Lucas...honey, were you meant to be a supporting character, or a major player, because I'm a little confused. You were taken out of the spotlight but then thrust back in with attention seeking antics, it felt a little like A Shade of Amanda Bynes, except y'know, you were more deadly. Vivienne, Ice Queen, I would have liked to see more of you!! 

Defense:

I gotta say, the beginning was a little shaky, but the ending, oh lawdy. Those cliff hangers, I just hate to love, when done properly. This was angsty, emotional, dare I say...sexy? Yes very very good, sexy. Sofia was the apple to Derek's butter, which I loved. It was obvious from the beginning that these two would be together. 

The writing flow was even! I can see why this novel made it to #1, it was readable! The characters were great! The story wasn't too long or too short, but I still read it in a little over a hundred minutes! 

Do you catch my drift? The tree houses were so vividly described, I'm ready to go off to Vamp Land. Can we talk again about Sofia and Derek? Le sigh. The attraction, the angst, the he said-she said, it doesn't get any better than this, people! The harem (ooh la la), the suspense,thrill,angst,tears. You won't be disappointed; I sure wasn't.

Verdict:

Four stars, yet oh so close to five! While it takes a little to get into, you're soon sucked in. (pun intended c;) The characters, descriptions, just enough angst and emotions, ahh. It was a properly done Young Adult, friends. Not too clean, but just clean enough. 

Eternal by Chantelle Nay

Read in: May, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Author

Star Rating: ★★★

The author provided me with a copy of this novel. This has in no way altered my opinion of the novel, along with the following review. If you have any question or concerns, please message me here. 

Synopsis: 

17 year old Emma has floated through life in a small town as a loner...until she starts hearing a voice in her head. Now, some people might find this a little majorly strange. How does a seventeen year old even begin to describe this? Well, her guardian angel, Micah, sure enough has all of this answers. Emma happily floats through her last few months of senior year talking to Micah in her head, until Destry asks her to Prom. With Micah encouraging her to get out and talk to humans, can Emma shake the feeling of betrayal she feels about her feelings towards Micah or will she give it all up for Micah?

Prosecution:

Ah, love triangles. All of the wonderful things in life have involved a love triangle (or two). Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, JFK and Marilyn, even Princess Di and Prince Charles (actually, all of this things have been tragic, oops). So whats so different about Emma's? Well, its between an angel and a human. Yeah, no biggie. Except, sometimes the entire thing seemed a little too rushed. Emma, a typical loner, has an overly attached personality (which who can blame her, affection starved thing) becomes quite a predicament for solid Micah, who just wants her to form a human bond with Destry. If you read the novel, you'll find out why. 

What I really wish I could tweak is to make the writing not quite so formal. It would be readable for a few chapters, yet then break up and become rocky. It was distracting and I would find myself skimming through paragraphs waiting for something anything to happen. 

Defense:

While love triangles can be messy, I found this one to be pretty clean cut. I mean, hello, MAJOR PLOT TWIST. Seriously, never saw it coming (except for that little hint of foreshadowing, dun dun dun). Emma was likable and I found myself finding more than a few similarities between our personalities (Introverts, unite!). Destry was the perfect gentleman, if a bit short tempered and easily frustrated (no go man, no go). But the ending, like...whoa. It completely MADE the novel. There weren't really any loose ties or a suspenseful cliff hanger. Just the way I like things. 

Verdict: 

Barely squeaking into third. While the plot twist was pretty great, it basically saved the novel. The triangle was to the point and not messy. Emma battles her feelings of guilt while hers and Destrys' relationship is awkwardly sweet in that only adolescent way. Micah, eh. I wasn't really rooting for him as much as I thought I would, but that's okay, it'll work out, eventually. 

True by Erin McCarthy

Read in: April, 2013

Format: eBook

Source: Netgalley.com

Star Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com): 

When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.

Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…

Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

Prosecution: 

As much as I loved Tyler, he could have had a little more common sense, along with development. He was just this stereotypical bad boy from a bad home, trying to take care of his brothers...and that was it. There were no little quirks. No other sides. I was a little disappointed, but this didn't take away from the story. The ending was a little rushed, too. 

Defense:

Well, what can I say? I'm a sucker for a good GREAT romance! It was right up my alley with the falling in love in college with the bad boy. There were the added kicks of her little sorority sisters (still not really understand THAT friendship) friends and their random hook-ups (and hook-downs) along with the wild and crazy emotions of first love. Rory reminded me (not only because of her name) but of Rory from Gilmore Girls (who couldn't love that??). A few mishaps here and there spiced up the story, but its so worth the afternoon to read it. 

Verdict: 

Four stars! It was cute, it was fun, but the ending was just a little too rushed. I'd have preferred the ending to be way longer and not as rushed.