Review: Off the Ice by Julie Cross

Off the Ice

Author: Julie Cross
Publisher: Entangled: TEEN
Series: Juniper Falls #1
Pages: Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: February 28th 2017

Summary:

All is fair in love and hockey…

Claire O’Connor is back in Juniper Falls, but that doesn’t mean she wants to be. One semester off, that’s what she promised herself. Just long enough to take care of her father and keep the family business—a hockey bar beside the ice rink—afloat. After that, she’s getting the hell out. Again.

Enter Tate Tanley. What happened between them the night before she left town resurfaces the second they lay eyes on each other. But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie. When Tate is unexpectedly called in to take over for the hockey team’s star goalie, suddenly he’s in the spotlight and on his way to becoming just another egotistical varsity hockey player. And Claire’s sworn off Juniper Falls hockey players for good.

It’s the absolute worst time to fall in love.

For Tate and Claire, hockey isn’t just a game. And they both might not survive a body check to the heart.

Review:

Off the Ice has been on my TBR since I heard the about it. I planned on reading it as soon as it was released last February.
In fact, if you would have asked me last week, I would have told you, I am pretty sure I read it. Yet somehow I didn't. Don't ask me why. But let me tell you, if you interested, go read it. It's well worth your time.

There isn't much that I didn't like about Off the Ice, except that the first quarter was bit slow? It's a bit long wound at times.
In the end, however, it doesn't really matter.

This is well written, with insight and subtlety. The writing style is beautiful. There are loads of descriptions that touched me. I love the hockey scenes.
The storyline is sweet, to say the least. But it is full of depth, there are some real issues tackled during the novel, while the love story is swoony, it feels tangible and very realistic. I think I like that best.
Actually, I love the character building even more.

It's done immaculately. I mean there are characters that are mostly negative. But all in all each and every character has depth, different sides and I feel like I gotten to know the entire group of friends. And while we talking about the group? I hope there will be a book about all of the guys?
The two MCs are strong, stubborn and work through some heavy stuff. They are both likable and loyal. Both unique, but can I just say Tate.. swoooon. The sketch? Just one of the things I adore about him.

A wonderful start to the series. Must read for lovers of the genre.

Rating: 

Blog Tour: Breaking the Ice by Julie Cross

Breaking the Ice

Author: Julie Cross
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Series: Juniper Falls #2
Pages: Paperback, 300 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: December 26th 2017

Summary:
The second book in the Juniper Falls series from NY Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Cross, perfect for fans of Miranda Kenneally and Abbi Glines.
Haley Stevenson seems like she’s got it all together: cheer captain, “Princess” of Juniper Falls, and voted Most Likely to Get Things Done. But below the surface, she’s struggling with a less-than-stellar GPA and still reeling from the loss of her first love. Repeating her Civics class during summer school is her chance to Get Things Done, not angst over boys. In fact, she’s sworn them off completely until college.
Fletcher Scott is happy to keep a low profile around Juniper Falls. He’s always been the invisible guy, warming the bench on the hockey team and moonlighting at a job that would make his grandma blush. Suddenly, though, he’s finding he wants more: more time on the ice, and more time with his infuriatingly perfect summer-school study partner.
But leave it to a girl who requires perfection to shake up a boy who’s ready to break all the rules.

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About the Autor:

Julie Cross is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult and Young Adult fiction, including the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy which includes Tempest, Vortex, Timestorm (St. Martin's Press). She's also the author of Letters to Nowhere series, Whatever Life Throws at You, Third Degree, Halfway Perfect, Chasing Truth, Off the Ice and many more to come! Julie Cross was a longtime resident of central Illinois but has recently moved her entire family across the country to continue her academic studies at Stanford University.

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Review:

Breaking the Ice is another wonderful installment of the Juniper Falls Series.
Let's just say this. I am obsessed with this series. Seriously. obsessed.

However, for some odd reason, I ended up liking it a little less than Off the Ice.
I mean don't get me wrong this is good. It's really good. But I was left with a few questions and the end kinda felt a bit rushed. (a tiny bit)
I found that I didn't have enough closure after this one. Not sure if that means we will get more in the next one, but since these could work as standalone books I think probably not.
Oh! And then there is the big question if there are more books. Please tell me there are? And while we are at it, will we get a Jamie book? And what about Mike? Will we ever hear his story? Jack? Last but not least, Cole?
You might see a pattern here, yep I love the hockey boys. They are really rather a wonderful (not to forget handsome) bunch after all.
Just like in the previous one, I love the camaraderie between them. It was even more highlighted by Jamie "adopting" Fletcher.
The character building is really flawless. I mean, we get to revisit the crew. And they are just as awesome as before. But we get to see them from a different POV, which adds to each personality.
Then we got Fletch and his crowd. I totally love the man cave. Their supportive, manly way is very endearing.

The writing style is on point. I mean Cross can write chemistry. By the way, while the last installment had some quite explicit smut, this doesn't. And I have to say, I was kinda disappointed. LOL.
Yeah, right. I did just say that. I wanted more smut. Take a picture and frame it. We all know I might never say that again. But in Off The Ice Cross did such an amazing job at the love scenes, I kinda expected some in here as well. There aren't really any. Well, there are steamy scenes, just no smut. *pouts*
Moving on.

The storyline is fun, cute and kinda different.
However, there are also my issues. There are several things that we don't get answers for. While I had the same suspicions about Haley as Fletch. I am a bit baffled, that none of the teaching and counseling staff asked for an expert to see her. It seems a bit, unprofessional.
Then we never get the story about Fletch's mother. I wanted to know.
The end, was kinda open when it comes to the hockey thing. I would have liked more closure.
I am knit-picking people. I need to re-iterate this.
It's a really good series, a really good installment. I adore this book. But because of it, I am also way more involved that I would have been in a book I kinda just liked.

So basically. This is so swoony and awesome 4stars.
I want more! I have a whole list of books and stories I would like to be written by Cross. Starting with Jamie... ending with Mike.
And then there is the biggest question, will there be another installment and when?

My advice: go read this ASAP. It's awesome sauce.
I'll just wait over here obsessing over it some more.


Rating: 



Excerpt:

“I’ll give you two choices…one, you can tell me the truth about that little job of yours and I’ll leave you
alone with your hangover. Or two, you can clean yourself up and get your head together and do some
work with me, and I’ll forget about the panties and the money and the lipstick…”
I doubt she’ll forget anything, but I have to hold out hope at least. I glance warily at her. “Option
two. Definitely two.”
The smirk on Haley’s face is gonna be forever etched into my memory. She knew I’d pick option
two.



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Review: Taming the Rebel by Dawn Klehr

Taming the Rebel

Author: Dawn Klehr
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Crush)
Pages: Kindle Edition, 198 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: August 14th 2017

Summary:

Rebel Hart should be at home taking care of her father after his breakup with his boyfriend, not tromping through the woods at summer camp. He’s had his heart broken beyond repair, and the way she sees it, there’s only one person to blame—the boyfriend’s son. So when that infuriatingly gorgeous quarterback turns up at the same camp, she plans to make him pay.
Justice Brody isn't happy about trading training camp for actual summer camp. But if he wants to stay on the football team, he has to show that he can be drama-free. He welcomes the anonymity that comes with summer camp…until he realizes the one girl who knows him better than anyone is there, too. Rebel is off-limits, impossibly beautiful…and trouble with a capital T. Still, he can’t stay away. And even as Rebel exacts her revenge, in several very embarrassing and painful ways, neither can she.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains pranks, adult language, and kisses that will make you wish for a summer romance of your own.

Review:

This took me forever to read, simply because I found barely time to read. I was traveling on my own in Europe and Taming the Rebel was my traveling companion.
In those moments when I found time to read, I savored my time with this cute & fluffy.
And let me tell you, it's a great travel companion and a fab summer read. It was my companion in the city of love- aka Paris, I felt it was super appropriate to read about their budding romances their little adventures..I wouldn't have wanted to read anything else but something super cute.
Taming the Rebel is just that. Cute. Lighthearted. Swoony.

It's well written with a good dose of humor and alot of insight. To be honest, at first I felt a bit like Klehr is doing the let be open-minded kind of thing, when I found out about Rebel's family. I didn't mind but I didn't care for it either. But as the story went on, I actually liked how she handled the situation and how she showed Justice's struggles with it. She managed to show the difficulties he faced without being judgmental or opinionated. It was just stated. And in fact this is what endeared me to the book even more at the end. Because while, this theme is often picked up these days, I think it is seldom dealt with so elegantly and without putting the authors opinion into it. Really well done.

I adored Justice from the get go. His POV is awesome, I could connect with him instantly. Rebel, not so much. I found her extremely opinionated, though she is a stickler for being open minded, which is exactly what annoyed me. I found her hypocritical in many ways and though she claims to be open, she did only see her point of view, in my opinion.
But as the story went on, she grew on me, alot. I ended up loving them both and was invested in their story.

The story line is probably the usual usual- well except for the family situation- enemies to lovers being one themes, there are a few more popular YA themes in here. But the romance was cute and there were some super cute moments, so I didn't care that it wasn't the most inventive story out there. I might have even sighed a few times....

Tested and proved to be a great travel companion and perfect summer romance. A must read for lovers of the genre.

Rating: 

Review: Coming Up for Air by Miranda Kenneally

Coming Up for Air

Author: Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Series: Hundred Oaks
Pages: Paperback, 320 pages
Genre:& YA
Release Date: July 4th 2017

Summary:

Swim. Eat. Shower. School. Snack. Swim. Swim. Swim. Dinner. Homework. Bed. Repeat.

All of Maggie’s focus and free time is spent swimming. She’s not only striving to earn scholarships—she’s training to qualify for the Olympics. It helps that her best friend, Levi, is also on the team and cheers her on. But Levi’s already earned an Olympic try out, so she feels even more pressure to succeed. And it’s not until Maggie’s away on a college visit that she realizes how much of the “typical” high school experience she’s missed by being in the pool.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Maggie decides to squeeze the most out of her senior year. First up? Making out with a guy. And Levi could be the perfect candidate. After all, they already spend a lot of time together. But as Maggie slowly starts to uncover new feelings for Levi, how much is she willing to lose to win?

Review:

So, Kenneally did it again. She has been churning out wonderful cute&fluffies with lots of heart and Coming Up for Air fits right in there.
It's cute, swoony, has lots of heart and is one of those books, one reads in one sitting. Which is exactly what happened to me today, I was just going to start the book, quickly over a short break... and I ended up extending the break a little bit (ok way longer than expected) and finishing the book.

Kenneally has a winning formula if you ask me. The books are well written, they cute, swoony and have great characters.
Coming Up for Air is totally character driven. I loved the little group of friends. I enjoyed Levi and Maggies drive and love for swimming. I also absolutely loved reading about their struggles and hard work in the sport and the reminder, those top athletes give up a lot be where they are.
I totally connected to Maggie, her insecurities and worries. I like how she found her way when it comes to sports, life and love.
Levi is sweet and swoony, really infuriating and such a teen boy. But I totally fell for him.
I love how little bitchy-ness goes on here, btw. I mean there are some dramas and fights ect, but no melodramatic. There is no bitchy cliquey crap going on. No mean girl vibes.. just things that actually feel like real life. I think this is why I enjoy this series so much. The characters feel realistic and relatable.

The story line is your best friend to lover kinda story. It's not something new, it is very enjoyable. And Kenneally added her own spin to it, which makes this oldie but goodie feel fresh and even somewhat unique.
The epilog didn't quite work for me, I mean I love Sam and all, I quite enjoyed hearing about their lives- but I felt cheated out of my extra bit of Maggie and Levi.


Coming Up for Air works as a stand-alone just like all previous books in the series. It is set at Hundred Oaks Highschool and loosely related to the previous books. It's another thing I like about the series, the fact that all the books work as a standalone but also that Kenneally pics different groups of friends, yet time goes on chronologically, so if you read all the books, you sometimes get a glimpse of the previous characters and what happened to them (especially Sam and Jordan)

MUST read for this summer!

Rating: 

Blog Tour: Crazy over You by Daisy Prescott

Today we are celebrating the release of CRAZY OVER YOU by Daisy Prescott. This is the second book in the Love With Altitude standalone series. You can purchase the book during release week for just $2.99, and grab the first book in the series for just .99¢!

CRAZY OVER YOU by Daisy Prescott
(A Love With Altitude Novel, #2)

PURCHASE THE BOOK NOW FOR JUST $2.99

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BOOK BLURB:

My savior isn’t prince charming.

I’m not that lucky.

He’s my worst nightmare.

He’s my one night stand from two years ago.

And he doesn’t remember me.

What happens on vacation doesn't always stay on vacation. Especially in a place like Aspen. I moved to the mountains for my dream vet job. I never expected to run into the man of my dreams. Again.

I never thought I'd see her again.

My Cinderella didn't leave me a shoe to find her.

Not that I'd need random footwear to recognize her.

Her kiss is something I'll never forget.

Work hard. Play hard. I'm paid to be a nice guy on the slopes, but what I do in my off time isn't always about making good choices. That's the fun of living in a ski town. I stay while the women come and go.

Crazy Over You is a standalone romantic comedy and the second book in the Love with Altitude series.

ADD CRAZY OVER YOU TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE THE BOOK NOW FOR JUST $2.99

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PREVIOUS BOOK IN THE SERIES

NEXT TO YOU (A Love With Altitude Novel, #1)

Brand new look! Get it now for just .99 cents!

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

USA Today Bestselling Author Daisy Prescott writes romantic comedies with heart.

Her Modern Love Stories feature characters in their thirties and forties finding and rediscovering love in unexpected and humorous ways. Her Wingmen books star regular guys who often have beards, drive trucks, and love deeply once they fall. Look for her new Rom Com series, Love with Altitude, in 2017.

Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog, and an indeterminate number of imaginary house goats. When not writing about herself in the third person, Daisy can be found traveling, gardening, baking, or lost in a good book.

To learn more about Daisy and her writing, sign up for her mailing list here (copy and paste this link): eepurl.com/xhXb5. Send her an email at: daisyauthor AT gmail DOT com Or chat with her on Twitter (@daisy_prescott) and Facebook: /daisyprescottauthorpage, and follow her on Instagram: /daisyprescott

AUTHOR LINKS:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Newsletter

REVIEW

So after reading two books in this series I can say with no doubt that I will be reading the entire series.
I love the setting.
There are mountains, there is lots of snow, there is a winter romance and hot guys.. do I need to say more?

Add to all the above: Prescott's wonderful writing, her wit and the slow(ish) real romance- and you got me all smitten. Utterly and totally smitten.

The romance is cute and swoony and has a nice sizzle to it. The storyline is interesting. There are no unnecessary dramas, just enough angst and insecurities to add a little dramatic flair to it. Otherwise this is straightforward and feels utterly real. It is also really swoony and sweet, oh and did I mention hot?

The character building, as always with Prescott, shines above it all. Definitely character driven.
I totally adore Jesse. Sweet, honest,honorable a nd yet so straight-forward it refreshing. At first however I wasn't a huge fan of his POV. It got better though. (honestly I'm not sure if it just grew on me or if there was really an improvement) It's interesting to see behind the hot dude mask and discover more about him. Though I feel there are loads of things I still don't know about him, he feel way more blank than his female counterpart. And I wish we got more.
Despite all that I'm totally fangirling.
There are some interesting moments written from Jesse's POV.  The truth is he isn't faring as well because of Mara POV. Mara is brilliantly written. I love her POV, it's super witty, it's quirky and unique. I feel like I know her, and I would totally be friends with her in RL.  I totally would. I think she could be my first book girl friend, why ever did I limit myself to book boy friends? I think we should extend it to book besties. And while we're at it I call dibs on Mara.
The support cast is interesting. There is a nice group of girls coming together.. I am wondering if we going to get stories for the clique? Also which male specimen will we admire next?
Then there is Landon. And I don't know where to cast him. Because let's face it he is an ass, but that's all we get. He seems just the resident asshat, not reason nor rhyme. I mean he is apparently gorgeous and... an ass. Even though he featured in both books little else is known. Wondering if he will just stay the "villain"or if we get some insight in future books.

The backdrop to the book is Aspen and it's surroundings. Which makes this series so interesting for me. Not because I know Aspen, nope, but I am brought up in the Swiss Alps. So many similarities to what Prescott describes. Add to that my love of winter sports, snow romance and it's the perfect setting.
But Prescott isn't doing the Aspen as a glamour destination thing. She is writing about a glamorous holiday destination from the POV from a local. She is keeping it real. Showing the amazing parts and the negative parts of living in a place like it. Absolutely love the way she does that.

A must read for fans of the author. Though it is a series it works as a standalone, so if you never read a Prescott book, it would be a good one to start with.


Rating: 

Blog Tour: Swinging At Love by Kendra C. Highley

Swinging At Love

Author: Kendra C. Highley
Publisher: Entangled TEEN Crush
Series: Suttonville Sentinels #2
Genre: YA
Release Date: month 1, 2013

Summary:
Outfielder Tristan Murrell has a problem. As the number two slugger for the Suttonville Sentinels, his team is counting on him to make their very first run at the state championship. But he has a secret—his swing has totally deserted him. As in, he can’t hit anything. He needs to fix the issue, and fast, but how?

Ballerina Alyssa Kaplan has a problem, too. The shiny new sports complex in town has left her family’s batting cage business on the verge of going under. Nailing her audition for a prestigious dance company is everything, but there’s no way she’s letting her some shiny big-box company destroy her family’s livelihood.

Tristan needs a miracle. So does Alyssa. And maybe, just maybe, Tristan’s secret weapon might be the girl of his dreams…

Disclaimer: This book contains hot, shirtless baseball players, kisses that bring a ballerina to her knees, and a lot of baseball smack-talk

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About the Author:

Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as staff to four self-important and high-powered cats. This, according to the cats, is her most important job. She believes in everyday magic, extraordinary love stories, and the restorative powers of dark chocolate.

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Review:

Super cute book!

The sequel of Bad Boy Bargain is just what I expected, well written, cute boys, lots of baseball, interesting girls and plenty of swoon.

I know basically nothing about baseball. I mean I know the basics, but I have never actually watched an entire game nor do I know anything about the intricacies when it comes to balling.. I know cricket quite well and I know all about loving a sport, being caught up in it, breathing and living the sport.
And that's what Highley did a brilliant job at describing. While I might not quite get all the sporty jargon when it comes to baseball, I felt what it meant. I could relate to the two MCs love for it, the feeling of the players in a game. Which is my favorite part about the book. I get why people love baseball, Tristan's worries and problems. Same for Alyssa.

Highley shines in descriptions of feelings and situations. Beautifully written.

The character building is really well done for the MC's. Same goes for the close friends.
However not all of the support cast feels rounded and finished. I am not that impressed with the meanie for example and even the parents felt at times a bit unfinished.

The plot is sweet. Though it's very insta. I didn't mind it that much, except for the sudden soulmate discussion- I just thought woah they are what? 16 or 17?! and met.. a few weeks ago? take a deep breath and take it slow peps...

There was a fair amount of angst, which I actually really loved. And Highley hinted a few issues, that were actually quite interesting. But I felt all of it was resolved really fast, which kinda seemed to take away from the seriousness of the issues.

The end is swoony and perfect and left me totally smiling. The perfect end to a enjoyable cute & fluffy.

A must read for lovers of the genre.
I can't wait for the next installment!!

Rating: 


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