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 But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie.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: Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

Breath of Fire

Author: Amanda Bouchet
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Series: Kingmaker Chronicles #2
Pages: Paperback, 448 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: Expected publication: January 3rd 2017

Summary:

SHE'S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD...
"Cat" Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat's tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what's a girl to do when she knows it's her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT
Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world-for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom...or not at all.

Review:


Breath of Fire had me gasping for air, it's non-stop action. Literally, from the first page to the last.
I thoroughly enjoyed that.

I was smitten with Bouchet's writing skills reading her first novel. Breath of Fire just reconfirmed my adoration for it over and over. This is well structured, well paced (extremely fast mind you), has amazing descriptions and wicked world building. Some of the details are rather gory and gruesome, but there are also beautifully described heartfelt moments. Bouchet knows how to keep her readers on their toes. It's balanced just right, so we can connect to the main players, get to know the villains but also that we get a minor breath between action, gore and revelations.

The world building in one world is brilliant. Bouchet draws from greek mythology but makes this new unique world from it. At times Cat's quest reminded me of the Odysseys and at other times it reminds me of classic high fantasy novels. A great mix and to that Cat's prophesied fate, the history of the kingdoms and you have an intriguing, inspired world. I also need to mention the creatures Bouchet conjures up. And there are plenty in this one again. I totally adore her descriptions, some of them are again based on Greek mythology, others are newly invented (at least I think so), but all have Bouchet's own little twist to them. Seriously one of my favorite parts of the series!

The character building is another part this novel shine. I did love Cat in the first book. I ended up having issues with the last part and Griffin's behaviour. But in this book? I ended up totally smitten with Griffin. I mean totally. Cat changes in some ways, significantly. Her growth is steady and yet immense. Griffing is a rock in the tumult. His vision, loyalty and kindness are staggering. Their relationship strengthens and all the things I loved about them before, has be reconfirmed. They still argue, banter and fight the odds. But somehow their trust deepens, they accept each other and their bond becomes even stronger. Their relationship feel tangible and real.
Cat shares more of her past, and with that one starts to understand more about her and her actions.
Team Beta is in full action. And yet we get to know them individually somewhat better. They all grew on me even more.
Frankly the character building is so well done, that I feel like I left a group my close friends behind, after finishing the novel. I am actually invested in several characters and I need them to have some sort of happy ending. To be clear: that's for basically the support cast, we talking about.

The plot as I said before is non-stop action. Never a dull moment. There are quests, riddles, personal problems and disputes, battles and talks with the gods. Plus quite a bit of smut and some budding romances as well. In fact my one and only problem was ALL the smut in the first half. Basically there was dramas, smut, fight nearly die, smut and repeat it over and over. In the second half however, they were on a quest that reminded me of the epics like the Odyssey and very little smut thankfully. now

With her second novel Bouchet firmly planted herself in my favorite fantasy authors list.
My only problem: The next book is only going to be published sometimes in Fall 2017.
And here I am feeling breathless from my reading marathon, desperate to get my hands on the next book.
You however really need to give this series a go if you love the genre!


Rating: 



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