Review: Fumbled Hearts by Meagan Brandy

Fumbled Hearts

Author: Meagan Brandy
Series: Tender Hearts #1
Pages: Paperback, 588 pages
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: September 21st 2017

Summary:

He’s the persistent playboy who refuses to walk away. I'm the impassive new girl with nothing left to give.
Things are about to get complicated...

After months of refusing, I finally agreed to make the move to Alrick Falls. My family thought it was best - that a new scene would be good for me—and I was sick of having the same conversation.
So here I am, and the plan is simple. Smile through each day and avoid her at all costs.
It's perfect.

Until the cocksure quarterback comes into play.

The last thing I want is his crooked grin and dark brown eyes focused on me.
Yet here he is, constantly in my space, pushing me, daring me to care. Telling me what I think and feel, as if he knows.
He doesn't know anything. And  I plan to keep it that way

Review:

Yeah so this.. is just not for me

First up, I don’t like the writing style. It’s too.. something. Not exactly terrible- but it feels to meditated, too simplistic and woody
The worst for me, however, were the dialogues, honestly who talks like that?
Really who?
I know not a single person who does -except the ones in series, maybe...
in fact, talking TV series this kinda reminds me of them- like A mix between Beverly Hills and the OC

The second problem I had: these are kids who are supposed to be 17/18... but they behave like 20+yr old
Then throw in the whole rich kids thing and every other cliche out there and we have what is supposed to be the backdrop of Fumbled Hearts
So unrealistic. As I struggled through read this I actually kept rolling my eyes and kept muttering: “yeah right “
I mean I like fantasy, just not this kind

Let look at the character building. I think actually this was not completely terrible. There are even some good moments - but they are few and far between
Most of it is again, just cliche, so many overused cliches

The storyline was predictable with a capital P - and frankly, I wouldn’t have minded that at all, but it also feels so long wound. The whole book felt way too long- though I am not sure if it is just because I didn’t like it or if actually is long. Actually its 500+pages... it IS too long. 500pages, really?
So this makes me wonder that maybe with some harsh editing this would be better?
But then again, I still would have the problem of the rich kids behaving like adults thing.
Again this is just not my cup of tea.

Bottom line, this too melodramatic, too cliche, too unrealistic for me but there are a couple of sweet moments - so 1.5 Stars


Rating: 


Review: Deniz

Review: No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista

No Love Allowed

Author: Kate Evangelista
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Series: Untitled #1
Pages: Paperback, 256 pages
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: April 19th 2016

Summary:

It's all fun and parties until someone falls in love in this modern fairy tale from author Kate Evangelista.

Caleb desperately needs a fake girlfriend. Either he attends a series of parties for his father’s law firm with a pretty girl on his arm, or he gets shipped off to Yale to start a future he’s not ready for and isn’t sure he wants. And sadly, the last unattached girl in his social circle has just made the grievous mistake of falling in love with him. Fortunately, Didi, recently fired waitress and aspiring painter, is open to new experiences. As the summer ticks by in a whirl of lavish parties, there’s only one rule: They must not fall in love!

Review:

I had high hopes for this one, the blurb sounds awesome and one of my reading buddies really liked it.
Alas it didn't quite work for me.

And honestly I felt terrible about that. Because this is by no means badly written. Evangelsita's writing style is ok. Same goes for the story line.

But I found it impossible to connect to the MCs. I am not quite sure if this is because it is written in third person. A choice that always makes it harder for the reader to connect.
I just simply felt like I was reading something made-up. I know, I know, this is fictional. But when I read I want to be able to forget that it's someone's idea, I want to be able to connect and I want to believe the story. Sadly I really couldn't do either of these things.
This feel like a TV-series to me. I felt totally detached from everything.
Even when the big dramas happened, all I could think of was, only 10% left to get through...
I found it all too cliche. We have to emotionally unavailable Caleb, who isn't just super hot but also beyond rich, his asshat dad, the super-close little circle of friends... oh and then there is Nathan the token gay.
Didi came across as extremely childish on many occasions.
Her mother seemed flippant. She changed her mind about things like a leave in the wind...
Let me not get started on Amber or JJ.
Simply put I didn't like the character building. There was no depth to start with but also no growth over the story.

While I found the events and the sweet moments quite endearing, it also felt orchestrated. Like someone lined up key moments.
I was not a fan of the dialogues- most of it has been used in way too many romantic movies, the same goes for a lot of the sweet moments.


I wish I would have liked it better. Really I do. I think it has some potential, I am not sure what would safe this however. Then again, thankfully I am just a reader, who can't write to safe her life.

I guess a less picky reader, someone who loves a bit of movie romance will really enjoy this one!


Rating: 


ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Review: Revenant by Larissa Ione

Revenant

Author: Larissa Ione
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Series: Lords of Deliverance #6, Demonica #11
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Genre: PNR
Release Date: December 16th 2014

Summary:

HELL HATH NO FURY . . .

For five thousand years, Revenant believed he was alone in the world, a fallen angel beyond any redemption. Now he finds he has a twin brother who had all the light and love Revenant was denied. Caught in a tug of war between Heaven and Hell, he must weigh his thirst for revenge against his desire for a mysterious female named Blaspheme—a female whose very origins could deliver him into salvation . . . or destruction.

LIKE AN ANGEL SCORNED

Blaspheme has a deadly secret: she's the forbidden offspring of an angel and a fallen angel. Hunted by both heavenly and satanic forces, she has survived only by laying low and trusting no one. When Revenant claims he can save them both, how can she possibly believe him? But the powerful angel is persistence incarnate and for Blaspheme, there's no place she can hide in Heaven or Hell where he won't find her . .

Review:

This is the sixth book of the Lords of Deliverance series or as I renamed it, "Welcome to Revenant's pity party" .

I really loved the 5 books of the Demonica series as well as the firsts three of the Lord of Deliverance. But after the uneven and tepid-ish Reseph's as well as Reaver's books I wasn't that excited about Revenant's book.

Where Reaver's character was introduced very early in the Demonica series and had steady appearances through out both Demonica and Lords of Deliverance series, Revenant only appeared in Reaver's book. As the Lords of Deliverance series is about the four horsemen of apocalypse, when I heard that a fifth book was coming my first thought was "$, here I come", but on the other hand given Reaver's part in both series, I understood that Larissa Ione wanted to write a book dedicated to his story. But, not only the book was a disappointment, but LI managed to finagle a sixth book out of it by giving him a twin.

Here's a short list of the things that didn't work for me in this book:

1/ Beside what's in the blurb, we have little back story about Revenant but it was repeated many times as Revenant whined and bitched about his fate. As if we couldn't understand it, and needed many reminders of his sad sad past and so unfair present. *rolls eyes*

Note to author: whining heroes are NOT sexy.

2/ Same goes for Blaspheme. Like Revenant, despite the fact that she was a minor side character in other books, she too had no character development.

3/ Not only Revenant and Blaspheme had no character development but their "love" story suffered of the same fate.

-> The result of this is that I couldn't care less for either of them or their supposed love story. And don't get me started on the sex scenes.

4/ A super weak plot that was inexistent for most of the book and was solved in one chapter... Yeah, that was thrilling. Not.

5/ Beside Eidolon, most of the major characters in the series acted like asses. As if Revenant needed any more fuel to his pity party...

Listening to this book I longed for one of Anne Stuart true and unabashed gamma heroes. The reason I rounded up the rating to 2 stars is that despite the bore that was Revenant's book, Larissa Ione managed to close the loop between the 2 series.

Last but not least, I want to say that the dull narrating didn't help


Rating:    What The Hell?

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Review: Melting the Ice by Jaci Burton

Melting the Ice

Author: Jaci Burton
Publisher: Berkley
Series: Play by Play #7
Pages: Paperback, 336 pages
Genre: Romance
Release Date: February 4th 2014

Summary:

Body Check

Everything’s coming together for budding fashion designer Carolina Preston. Only months away from having her own line, she could use some publicity. That’s when her brother suggests his best friend as a model - hockey player Drew Hogan.

Carolina and Drew already have a history - a hot one, back in college. Unforgettable for Carolina, but for Drew, just another slap shot. This time, though, it’s different. His perfect body would be for professional use only. This time, she could use him.

Drew is all for it. He’s looking forward to the exposure. Plus, it would give him a chance to prove to Carolina that he’s changed. If only he could thaw her emotions, convince her to let down her guard - and let him in just one more time...

Review:

I am not sure why I kept reading this. Around a third in I was bored by it. But I kept going ... Half way it was clear to me that this will never be my kinda book ... And still I kept going.
When I finally finished it- it felt like a huge achievement to get to the end of this book - I felt relieve that I was done. And ever since I am wondering WHY on earth I kept reading it?
Clearly this is not my kind of book.

The plot bored me, the smut left me totally cold and the characters - well honestly - even if I could ignore that they were uber- cliche - the dialogues were woody and well, beyond cliche...

And still I read the entire thing? I think because I had hopes that this could be better- would get better ... The idea though not the most inventive- a sports hottie falling for his best friends sister-- could have been sooooo good
Oh and the dude is a hockey player... I mean this should be good right? But well it wasn't.
I love hockey but even the hockey scenes did not work for me at all. They felt formulated and woody.

So why did I keep reading? I don't know!! I can tell why I started it though- have you seen the cover? Yep, I am at times a cover slut (ok I totally am one, always) Add to that the promise of a a hockey cute and fluffy.. You got me! Apparently even when I end up not enjoying it at all

All in all lots of promise sadly it was all delivered in a too cliche and formulated way - just not my thing

Rating: 

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ARC Review: Solitaire by Alice Oseman

Solitaire

Author: Alice Oseman
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: Hardcover, US, 368 pages
Genre: YA, contemporary
Release Date: March 30th 2015

Summary:

In case you're wondering, this is not a love story.

My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that's all over now.

Now there's Solitaire. And Michael Holden.

I don't know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don't care about Michael Holden.

I really don't.

This incredible debut novel by outstanding young author Alice Oseman is perfect for fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell and all unflinchingly honest writers.

Review:

I am so sorry BUT I just can't read another page of this. Forget a page, not even another sentence!
DNF at 40%


This is so not for me.
At first I wasn't sure if I was a fan of the writing style. But then I decided that, while I was not really my cup of tea, I also don't mind it that much. Still it meant that this would take me a wee bit longer to read, also that it wouldn't get 5stars just based on that alone.

But soon, I stop caring about the writing style, because as the story was unfolding something else started grate on me: namely the setting. Well, of course this is fiction, it's imaginary. But it is supposed to be a contemporary novel, in fact this has been compared to John Green's works... well, the setting of this is just impossible. The last girls school that has coed for last two years? YEAH right... But let's not forget the Solitaire setting. First that possibility that said domain would be free is lets say... ZERO... then the group hacks the entire school. These kids are some uber- genius techies? Sorry but this seems just beyond possible. I actually found the whole Solitaire mystery not very enticing, but oh well...

I would have not mind any of the above that much, if this would have been a great character driven novel. BUT and that's where I just gave up. I really really dislike Tori.
She is pessimistic at best. Snarky, lies just for no reason, hates the entire world. Has a super weird relationship with her mother- for no apparent reason but that she doesn't really like her?? - in fact she doesn't seem to like anyone really. Her relationship with Becky- is ... well depressing. She has no other friends to speak off. Which is beyond sad.
And she is uber-bitchy to everyone around. She hates reading.. (yeah well, sorry but as a reader, I just can't related to her after that)
BUT the cherry on top of all that? She is totally condescending. She thinks she is so above everyone else. And I mean everyone. Lucas, Becky, her mother, well, really every single character in the book. Her snarky comments about everyone annoyed the crap out of me.
I mean I was not a happy clappy pink fuzzy teen. Hell, I still am not any of those things.
I would have enjoyed sarcastic and snarky- but this is bordering mean. And well, I decided, Tori and I are never going to work, ever ever. And that's that.

Rating: 

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Review: Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jessie Evans

Twelve Dates of Christmas: The Ballad of Lula Jo

Author: Jessie Evans
Publisher: Self Taught Ninja Press
Pages: ebook, 92 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 10th 2014

Summary:

THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS: The Ballad of Lula Jo
A Lonesome Point Novella

It’s the time of year for miracles…

Once upon a time, Lula and Carter were inseparable and Christmas was Lula’s favorite time of the year. But when Lula refused Carter’s proposal one dark December night—unwilling to abandon her hometown to live the dangerous life of a treasure hunter’s wife—the holiday lights went out in her heart. She abandoned all hope of romance and embraced a hermit’s existence, keeping her distance from dangerous men and untamed cowboys. Until now…

Years of hard knocks have taught Carter that the greatest adventure is the one he once found in Lula’s arms. He’s back in Lonesome Point determined to win back the only woman he’s ever loved, but Lula is just as determined to keep her heart under lock and key. She gives Carter twelve days—and twelve dates—to make his case before she sends him on his way, not counting on the fact that the two of them have grown into people even more meant to be.

It looks like Lula and Carter are on track to Happily Ever After take two, but when Lula’s old fears are reawakened Christmas Eve it will take a holiday miracle to keep them together.

Review:

Sooo I had this great idea to read some Holiday novellas... I have a soft spot for winter lurv and having met le DH on 12/24 ... well, ok, I admit it I am a christmas romance sucker!
This however- OH DEAR! where to begin?

Well first the dialogues were way to corny. I mean who talks like this?

"I have a feeling you might get lucky." " I'm already lucky"

All the supposed cute banter was just too put on, it felt unreal. In fat it sounded like a corny rom-com. You know, the kind of movies you wonder who they were made for, cause they are so way out there so over the top when it comes to romance, surely no-one buys into that?

The writing style is in fact the only redeeming thing about this novella. Evans did some beautiful descriptions, I enjoyed her prose.

The story lines was. Well. Not much to tell about. It's your starcrossed lovers come second chances kinda thing. It's predictable and nothing new. I didn't mind the predictability by the way. It is a Christmas novella after all, I was after a cute and fluffy fix.
The end, well, uhm. The gnomes thing, really? I don't know how I feel about that. But I do know that I didn't really care any more because I was by that time so annoyed with the characters, I seriously could not care less.

The characters were all steriotypical AT BEST. They were dizzy idiots. I mean seriously?!
Mia seems kinda fluffy and small brained, Carter is mr. desperation deluxe, every one was weird and just unreal. I don't know if maybe Evans was trying to go for quirky? Sadly quirky it ain't not. Add the corny dialogues to their weird stuck up charaters and you got- certainly not cute and fluffy- more like irritating as hell.
I should have probably stopped at the prologue. Because I was already agitated by that. I mean really?! WTH? Have they never heard of a compromise?????

BUT crown for the most annoying thing in the novella goes to *drum roll* Lula.
So first she is being beyond unreasonable. I mean, she was not 15 she was 22. Then well
she behaves like a stuck up, judgmental, old spinster:

Her cousin had more enthusiasm than sense, but Lula didn't try to reason with Mia anymore. Some people were a lost cause, and all you could do was include them in your prayers before you went to sleep. 

I mean she is 33!!!! For heavens sake!

But then she totally reverts into a teenager:

Lula wrenched the door open and slammed inside, flipping the lock behind her and ignoring Carter's call for her to come back. She pounders up the stairs to her apartment, tears streaming down her cheeks. 

I MEAN she is 33 years old! WTF?! Excuse my french.
BUT seriously. She does not once not a single time behave like a reasonable person. She either is old, stuck-up, jealous  or she is a horny, moody, clingy teen. I won't even go into her clingy and control streak. Seriously.



Let's just leave it at this. I can not believe I wasted my precious reading time on this.


So I think she has the honour of being worst character of 2014!
Contrat's LULA, the worst character 2014.


Rating: 

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Review: Dark Skye by Kresley Cole

Dark Skye

Author: Kresley Cole
Publisher: Gallery Books
Series: Immortals After Dark #14
Pages: Hardcover, 1st Edition, 432 pages
Genre: PNR
Release Date: August 5th 2014

Summary:

In this highly anticipated fifteenth novel in the Immortals After Dark series, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole spins a sultry tale of a mighty warrior scarred inside and out and the beguiling sorceress with the power to heal him—or vanquish him forever.

ETERNAL OBSESSION

As a boy, Thronos, prince of Skye Hall, loved Lanthe, a mischievous Sorceri girl who made him question everything about his Vrekener clan. But when the two got caught in the middle of their families’ war, tragedy struck, leaving Thronos and Lanthe bitter enemies. Though centuries have passed, nothing can cool his seething need for the beautiful enchantress who scarred his body—and left an even deeper impression on his soul.

ENDLESS YEARNING

Lanthe, a once-formidable sorceress struggling to reclaim her gifts, searches for love and acceptance with all the wrong immortal suitors. But she’s never forgotten Thronos, the magnificent silver-eyed boy who protected her until she was ripped from the shelter of his arms. One harrowing night changed everything between them. Now he’s a notorious warlord with a blood vendetta against Lanthe, hunting her relentlessly.

CAN THE HEAT OF DESIRE BURN BRIGHTER THAN VENGEANCE?

With their families locked in conflict and battles raging all around them, will Thronos and Lanthe succumb to the brutal chaos that threatens everything they cherish? Or will the fragile bond they formed so long ago spark a passion strong enough to withstand even the darkest doubts?

Review:

I'm a huge fan of the first 12 books of the IAD series. For me, things started to go sour with the first Dacians book and continued to go downhill with MacRieve (that promised so much). With this one I think that I'm definitely out of love with this series.

Before I start, I would like to say that after the epilogue in MacRieve, I didn't understand why the next one was about Lanthe and Thronos and not about MacRieve's twin since that's what the epilogue is about.

If I had to resume my review in one word, it would be B O R I N G

Why boring?

- Because of the too many mulling over thoughts/talks/resentments about the same themes. Damn but if it's something they are expert at it certainly is moving in circles. This alone suffices to bore me to tears.

- Then nothing much happens and the little that does happens are bad recycling of things already done and re-done or roll eyes festivals. The landing in the belly of a beast was done in Star Wars, to name the most obvious reference. Han Solo landed the Millennium Falcon and here they teleported themselves but it's the same thing, different mean. Same with the beast feeding them hallucinogens while digesting them alive. That one is an X-Files stuff. In the X-Files Mulder and Scully are the victims of a huge mushroom organism, but again, same thing, different mean. Dragons sitting on huge piles of gold... Rings a bell anyone? And so on...

I'm not against the recycling of used ideas or even clichés, but at least do it well and cleverly.

- The "blindness" of Thronos toward his brother's wrongdoings for centuries... I mean, really? He wasn't a recluse, they are neighbors on a tiny island and for most of these centuries they were close, and he never got the smallest hint that things weren't as they should have been? Is he dumb or dumber?

- If that wasn't enough, I couldn't care less for the heroes, and at time it was so sweet my teeth hurt. So yeah, boring.

- The end was a WTF festival. I mean, really?????

The saddest thing is that even Nïx didn't manage to make things more interesting and with the little tidbits KC gave us, I'm more and more convinced that the following books are not going to get better.

This series is based on enemies become lovers with lots of adventure, and while it worked it was great but Kresley Cole obviously ran out of juices.

You can have the most beautiful pieces of fabric (which was definitely not the case here), without the thread to bind them, you'll never be able to have a patchwork quilt. Same goes with stories telling...



Rating: 

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