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 But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie.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.



Giveaway:

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Review: Why I Loathe Sterling Lane by Ingrid Paulson

Why I Loathe Sterling Lane

Author: Ingrid Paulson
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Pages: Paperback, 287 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: June 6th 2017

Summary:

Per her 537 rules, Harper Campbell keeps her life tidy—academically and socially. But the moment Sterling Lane transfers into her tiny boarding school, her twin brother gets swept up in Sterling’s pranks and schemes and nearly gets expelled. Harper knows it’s Sterling’s fault, and to protect her brother, she vows to take him down. As she exposes his endless school violations, he keeps striking back, framing her for his own infractions. Worst of all, he’s charmed the administration into thinking he’s harmless, and only Harper sees him for the troublemaker he absolutely is.

As she breaks rule after precious rule in her battle of wits against Sterling and tension between them hits a boiling point, she’s horrified to discover that perhaps the two of them aren’t so different. And maybe she doesn't entirely hate him after all. Teaming up with Sterling to save her brother might be the only way to keep from breaking the most important rule—protecting Cole.

Review:

Great cute & fluffy that hits all the high school hate to love notes.

Why I Loathe Sterling Lane reminded me of some of my favorite teen movies. In the best way possible. I really enjoyed reading it.
But and there is always a but, it reminded me of teen movies. A lot.
So while it is possibly not the most innovative, it does have quite a bit of cliche in there after all, it is however very entertaining. I really enjoyed reading it. In fact so much so that I read it in practically one sitting. Which seems a rather rare thing for me these days.
This is mainly due to the fun plot but also because of the great and witty writing of Paulson. I loved her humor and this had me chuckling to myself on several occasions.
The character building was at the beginning rather expected. So quite typecast. But as the book went on we got more layers to MCs and the support cast. I ended up really liking the crew. I should mention that this is told from POV view. And she was beyond judgmental and put everyone into a box in the beginning. But she does end up seeing different sides to herself and the others, she does significant character growth during the course of the book, which is why I ended up liking her a lot. But even when I felt she was full of it, I could relate. Her insecurities were relatable. I just couldn't relate to her rigidity and her overzealousness. I mean I am Mrs. procrastination after all... writing outlines before a class? Has never and will never happen.
My biggest issue with the character building however, was that they felt much older not like 17year old kids... Even their pranks ect. They just didn't seem high schoolers, they felt like last year in college
. It is a minor thing I know.

Why I loathe Sterling Lane was fun, cute, adorable and everything else I want from a cute & fluffy. A must read!

Rating: 

Cover Reveal: Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel

Black Bird of the Gallows

Author: Meg Kassel
Publisher: Entangled TEEN
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Expected Release Date: September 5th 2017

Summary:

A debut novel about a teenage girl who discovers the new boy next door is a harbinger of death, and who must find a way to survive in a town destined for tragedy.

A simple but forgotten truth: Where harbingers of death appear, the morgues will soon be full. Harbingers settle in places where tragedy is about to strike, then feed on the energy of the dying. Then, they leave. Off to the next doomed place. No one wants a family of harbingers of death as neighbors, but that’s exactly what seventeen-year-old Angie Dovage gets when Reece Fernandez moves in next door.

Angie knows the mysterious boy is more than he appears, but can’t imagine that his presence heralds a tragedy that will devastate her small community. But her fears run deeper than Reece’s inevitable departure, because where harbingers of death go, grotesque, ruined creatures called Beekeepers follow. And where Beekeepers go, fear and chaos and death follows.

Angie wants to protect everyone she cares about, but stopping the Beekeepers involves a choice that will claim her life or Reece’s soul. She will learn the price of both.

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About the Author

Meg Kassel is the author of The Black Bird of the Gallows. A New Jersey native, Meg graduated from Parson's School of Design and worked as a graphic designer. She now lives in Maine with her husband and daughter and is busy at work on her next novel.

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Blog Tour: The Replacement Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts

The Replacement Crush

Author: Lisa Brown Roberts
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Pages: Paperback, 400 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: September 6th 2016

Summary:

True love can’t be strategized.

After book blogger Vivian Galdi’s longtime crush pretends their secret summer kissing sessions never happened, Vivian creates a list of safe crushes, determined to protect her heart.

But nerd-hot Dallas, the sweet new guy in town, sends the mission and Vivian’s zing meter into chaos. While designing software for the bookstore where Vivian works, Dallas wages a counter-mission.

Operation Replacement Crush is in full effect. And Dallas is determined to take her heart off the shelf.

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Tour Schedule



About the Author:

Lisa Brown Roberts still hasn't recovered from the teenage trauma of nearly tweezing off both eyebrows and having to pencil them in for an entire school year. This and other angst-filled memories inspire her to write YA books about navigating life's painful and funny dramas, and falling in love along the way.

Her almost forever home is Colorado, though she occasionally pines for the days when she lived within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean. Her house is full of books, boys, four-legged prima donnas, and lots of laughter.


Website ⎢ Twitter ⎢Facebook ⎢Goodreads 

Review:

"..to the book blogging community, this book is for you. I'm in awe of your passionate love of books and the time and dedication you give to reading and reviewing. Thank you for your ongoing support for authors and for all your reviews: the go-go boots, the granny shoes, and all in between."
Lisa Brown Roberts, Acknowledgments, The Replacement Crush.

I am one of those weird geeks who read acknowledgments. I love this one. And let me tell you: This book is an ode to the book reviewers.
Vivian is a blogger and all round book lover. I totally fell in love with her reviews and I could identify with the booky-side of the story. I mean, who of us book bloggers wouldn't be able to?
But there is much more to the character building than clever bookish bits, people like me would adore.
I feel like I gotten to know Vivian, and her friends - she feels like a solid and real character. All of it, with the stupid teenage mistakes as a garnish.
Dallas, is the uberhot McNerd, many of us will pine over. Again, while he is just what I would like in a BBF, he has his own idiosyncrasies that are at times irritating and yet endearing.
I love the relationships, that change and develop between the group. I adore Toff- will there be a book about him?! (PLEASE?)
My only little thing: I was not a fan of Jake. I don't mean him as a character, but rather how he turned out. I'm not sure why, but while Roberts was super forgiving with each and every character- there was no coming back for Jake. Don't get me wrong, I don't need him to be a nice guy or anything like that. I just somehow didn't like that he is the only character that's black and white.
And while we are at it: I feel a bit uneasy about the resolve of the beach scene.  In my opinion it's not finished, I feel that Vivian needs to talk to an adult. The fact that the boys gave her the choice is admirable, but I feel that's letting people off the hook easy. Look this is a tiny thing in the book, for me though, it felt rather huge and that's why I bring it up here. I am worried that it the gravity of the issue is played down by this. Though I know that most girls would probably react like Viv, but maybe because of it, I feel there should be something else said or done?
I really felt protective over Viv, which is probably the best acknowledgment of how well the character building was done.
This is mostly character driven for me. I adore the characters in this book. The plot is quite slow, there is a super slow burn romance (which I ADORE), some interesting friend interventions, a bit of angst, self doubt and not to forget teenage stupidity. And I loved every minute of it. It just worked. The entire thing. All the hype at the right times, the heartbreak and the big gesture. It was just RIGHT.

This is cute & fluffy with a fun dose of nerd and a good dash of more heavy subjects.
Well written, funny and just well, fabulous.

So are you like me one of the people Roberts spoke of? Then, if you love YA - read this.

Coming back to Roberts acknowledgment: Dear Mrs. Roberts, authors like you are the reason I do have a passion for books. Thank you for writing them, and even more so for writing such awesome ones!






Rating: 

Giveaway:


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Cover Reveal: The Boyfriend Bet by Chris Cannon & The Summer Before by Melissa Chambers

Let us know what you think of the covers for The Boyfriend Bet by Chris Cannon and The Summer Before Forever (Before Forever, #1) by Melissa Chambers!

The Boyfriend Bet (Boyfriend Chronicles, #2) and The Summer Before Forever (Before Forever, #1) both release on August 22, 2016

These cover reveals are brought to you by Entangled TEEN, YA Interrobang, and YA Books Central!

About The Boyfriend Bet:

Zoe Cain knows that Grant Evertide is way out of her league. So naturally, she kisses him. Out of spite. Not only is Grant her brother’s number-one nemesis, but he has zero interest in being tied down to one girl. She’s shocked—and secretly thrilled—when they start spending more time together. Non-exclusively, of course, but that doesn’t mean Zoe can’t change his mind, one PDA and after-school detention at a time.

Zoe’s brother claims Grant is trying to make her his “Ringer,” an oh-so-charming tradition where a popular guy dates a non-popular girl until he hooks up with her, then dumps her. Zoe threatens to neuter Grant with hedge clippers if he's lying but Grant swears he isn’t trying to trick her. Still, that doesn’t mean Grant is the commitment type—even if winning a bet is on the line.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains multiple PDAs, after school detentions, and gambling on the side. Warning: Betting on a boyfriend is bad for your health.

Want to Read More? Pre-order The Boyfriend Bet (Boyfriend Chronicles, #2) Today!

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About the Author:

Chris Cannon lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and her three dogs, Pete the shih tzu who sleeps on her desk while she writes, Molly the ever-shedding yellow lab, and Tyson the sandwich-stealing German Shepherd Beagle. She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures or romantic comedies.

Find Chris Cannnon Online:

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About The Summer Before Forever:

Some boys break your heart. Others teach you how to heal it.

Chloe Stone’s life is a hotmess. Determined to stop being so freaking skittish, she packs up her quasi-famous best friend and heads to Florida. The goal? Complete the summer bucket list to end all bucket lists. The problem? Her hot soon-to-be stepbrother, Landon Jacobs.

Landon’s mom will throttle him if he even looks at his future stepsister the wrong way.Problem is, Chloeis everything he didn’t know he wanted, and that’s…inconvenient.Watching her tear it up on a karaoke stage, stand up to his asshole friend,and rock her first string bikini destroys his sanity.

But there’s more than their future family on the line. Landon is hiding something—something he knows will change how she feels about him—and she’s hiding something from him, too. And when the secrets come out, there’s a good chance neither will look at the other the same way again…

Want to Read More? Pre-order The Summer Before Forever (Before Forever, #1) Today!

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About the Author:

Melissa Chambers writes contemporary novels for young, new, and actual adults. A Nashville native, she spends her days working in the music industry and her nights tapping away at her keyboard. While she’s slightly obsessed with alt rock, she leaves the guitar playing to her husband and kid. She never misses a chance to play a tennis match, listen to an audiobook, or eat a bowl of ice cream. (Rocky road, please!) She’s a member of RWA including several local and online chapters thereof. She holds her B.S. in Communications from the University of Tennessee.

Find Melissa Chambers Online:

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Cover Reveal: Endless Summer Series by Monica Murphy and Sarah Nicolas

Let us know what you think of the covers for Daring the Bad Boy and Keeping Her Secret (Endless Summer Series) by Monica Murphy and Sarah Nicolas (respectively)!

Daring the Bad Boy & Keeping Her Secret both release on August 22, 2016

This cover reveal is brought to you by Entangled TEEN, YA Books Central & LGBTQ Reads!

About Daring the Bad Boy:

Truth or Dare was never this much fun…

Annie McFarland is sick of being a shy nobody. A session at summer camp seems like the perfect opportunity to reinvent herself—gain some confidence, kiss a boy, be whoever she wants to be. A few days in, she’s already set her sights on über-hottie Kyle. Too bad her fear of water keeps her away from the lake, where Kyle is always hanging out.

Jacob Fazio is at Camp Pine Ridge after one too many screw-ups. Junior counseling seems like punishment enough, but the rigid no-fraternizing-with-campers rules harsh his chill. When a night of Truth or Dare gets him roped into teaching Annie how to swim, she begs him to also teach her how to snag Kyle.

Late-night swim sessions turn into late-night kissing sessions…but there’s more on the line than just their hearts. If they get caught, Jake’s headed straight to juvie, but Annie’s more than ready to dare him to reveal the truth.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains references to drinking, sexual situations, adult language, and an intense bad boy hero who will melt your heart.

Want to Read More? Pre-order Daring the Bad Boy (Endless Summer Series) Today!

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About the Author:

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is a traditionally published author, as well as an independently published author. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance. She is also USA Today bestselling romance author Karen Erickson.

Find Monica Murphy Online:

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About Keeping Her Secret:

Two girls, one kiss, one summer of discovery

All’s fair in love and summertime prank wars

The last person Riya Johnson expected to run into at her new summer camp is Courtney Chastain—her childhood best friend and the girl who broke her heart after a secret, mind-blowing, life-altering kiss. She definitely didn’t expect to be sharing a bunk bed with her for four long weeks.

Courtney has what every girl wants—she’s beautiful, rich, and the object of every boy’s desire at Camp Pine Ridge. Too bad none of them make her feel an iota of what Riya’s kiss did all those years ago. But Courtney needs to uphold appearances at all costs—even if it means instigating an all-out prank war with Riya as her main target.

Neither girl can stop thinking about the other…but that doesn’t mean they can give up past hurts and take a chance on a future together.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains drinking, sexual situations, and a fairy-tale romance sure to make your heart melt.

Want to Read More? Pre-order Keeping Her Secret (Endless Summer Series) Today!

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Entangled Publishing

About the Author:

Sarah Nicolas is a recovering mechanical engineer, library event planner, and author. She lives in Orlando with a 60-lb mutt who thinks he’s a chihuahua. Sarah writes YA novels as Sarah Nicolas and romance under the name Aria Kane. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing volleyball or drinking wine. She is a contributor for Book Riot and at YAtopia.

Find Sarah Nicolas Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter |  Goodreads’ Author Page | Entangled Author Page