It’s that time of year again. Looking back on what I have read over the past 6 months and list my 5 favorite books. Well as usual I can never list just 5 sooo 7 it is but I narrowed it down to 4 authors so that balances out. Yeah lets go with that.
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Reviving Kendall and Refusing Kendall (White Trash Trilogy) by Brandy Slaven
My Review – Reviving Kendall
When your BFF tells you that you need to read this book and then follows it up by gifting it to you. You read it and Holy crap on a cracker this was an awesome book. I’m telling you I jumped into this book and could not put it down. Seriously before I knew it I was almost done with the book and it was 1:30 in the morning.
What does a girl who goes from having a nice life with grandparents who love her and 3 yes 3 boyfriends to having her world turn upside down and inside out. Kendall lost her grandmother to cancer then she lost Brian, Will and Casey in a tragic car accident. Now she does what she has to do just to get through each day. She gets tormented in school, has to work to help pay the bills, and takes care of her gramps who has cancer. She has too much on her plate to worry about boys.
Kendall finds herself waiting on Teagan, Logan, Goose AKA Grant, and Maverick at the restaurant. They come on strong and she blows them off. Kendall works hard for what she has and refuses to take handouts. It takes some time for Kendall to let the walls down around her heart but when she does she finds something in each of the guys. When the guys realize what she means to them and figures out how to deal with the jealousy things really get heated.
There were so many favorites for me in this book. The dates these guys take her on had me swooning. Even though each date was different and rightfully so since each guy has different likes. I loved seeing them happy on the mountain trip but when things go wrong I was heartbroken. And I was balling when Kendall’s world once again got turned upside down and inside out. I have to say a side character, Lincoln Logan’s brother now holds a place in my heart but Mav walked away with it. I’m telling you I need to read the second book and I will probably have a hard time waiting for book three. Thank you Angie for gifting me this book.
A few of my favorites:
His eyes roam over my face like he’s trying to figure out how to fix the white trash ruin that I am, but he has no idea just how impossible that would be.
“Kendall, this is probably one of the hardest things that you will ever have to go through, but it will make you a better person for it. You just have to live. If for no other reason than for them. Live life to the fullest, just like you know that they would want you to.”
“Kendall, don’t make us late to class because I will come over there, drag you out and drive you to school in whatever you’re wearing.”
My Review – Refusing Kendall
I received this book for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did Reviving Kendall. There were so many twists and turns. This one had my emotions all over the place I found myself laughing one minute then angry the next.
I loved seeing the relationships develop between Kendall and her guys. We learn more about their pasts and how their relationship works. Even though they have been together for a while there is still a lot they are still trying to learn about each other and dealing with trust issues. The boys are trying to juggle playing college ball and making time for Kendall. Kendall is living in the “haunted house” as she says while the boys live in the dorms. I have to say I was disappointed in Teagan at one point in this book and Kendall had me shaking my head every time she would make comments about the stupid girl that dies in the horror movies then she would do it anyway.
The drama and angst had my heart beating erratic. The ups and downs and seeing what everyone when through in this one had me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. I cannot wait for the next one.
A few of my favorites:
No matter how crazy shit gets around here, these are the moments that keep us sane and more importantly, together.
His smile turns soft, “You can call me whatever you want, as long as I get to see that beautiful face.”
Reality says that I am the biggest hypocrite on the planet for wanting to keep them all for myself, but my heart says that reality can stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.
“Kendall,” Teagan starts, “Ever since you threw my money back at me in the restaurant, you’ve had me wrapped around your finger. I went stupid there for a bit, but I don’t want to make the same mistake and give you he chance to get away again.”
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Greyson and Tray (Hell’s Harlem Series) by J.M. Walker
My Review – Greyson
Greyson, Greyson, Greyson…this man intrigued me from the first moment we saw him and not in a great way. Yes I was a little… ok a lot aggravated at him. You see he wanted Brogan and well she wants and NEEDS Coby. Therefore, there is no room for Greyson.
Eve has no idea who she is or why she is running but all she knows is whatever she is running from is bad. She finds herself running right into Greyson. She feels protected and safe when he is around. I like Eve she may not know who she is or how she got where she is but she is determined to make it even if she never finds the truth.
Greyson has a heart of ice. You see he was in love with a girl who was never his and could not have in the end. When Eve came through the compound that night his heart began to thaw for this woman.
JM has a way of taking a guy you think you will not like and turn him into someone you love. Is he an asshole? Oh yes but in the best way. Is he demanding and controlling? Yes he is but ask Eve it is the best kind of demanding and controlling. JM has the best twists and turns that I didn’t even see them until they smacked me in the face. Watching these two open up and trust one another was amazing but when Eve’s past catches up to Greyson and Eve can they overcome and survive all that is coming their way?
A few of my favorite quotes
“I’m here to make sure you don’t hurt yourself. I don’t need that shit on my hands.” It wasn’t the truth, but she didn’t need to know that. I was there because I wanted to be. I was there because not even knowing me for twenty-four hours and she was already chipping away at the ice blocking my heart.
I know I’m difficult to get along with. I know I’m an asshole, but I love hard and I won’t hurt you.
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The Ties that Bind and Tyson (An Ariel Kimber Novel and Novella) by Mary Martel
My Review – The Ties that Bind
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Oh Nellie this was jammed pack. Ariel discovered her real father was out there. Between her and her boys having to deal with the Council and dealing with the past this was an unforgettable read.
There is so much in this book I’m not sure my review will do it justice. The council is having Ariel do blood magic to find her father. This doesn’t make Quinton happy. Not only this but the council brought Chucky and Annabelle back into their lives and ugh that is all I’m going to say about that. Then we do get to meet Rain, Ariel’s father, to be honest I am not sure what to think of him.
I loved to see Ariel and the guy’s relationship grow. Even though they all have trust issues after being hurt in their past we are learning more about each of them. I like how we are learning about the guys along with Ariel. Each of them has a different personality and Ariel reacts to them all differently. I have to say my heart is opening more toward Damien. Tyson made me sad when he asked Ariel to keep secrets from others.
This book kept my attention and was hard to set down. I am intrigued to see what will happen next and to see Ariel and her coven learn more about each other and grow closer.
A few of my favorites
The girl has a serious mouth that she had no problem popping off whenever the mood struck her (and it stuck her often enough), but being mouthy and unafraid to speak your mind were a whole lot different.
I don’t think you know how to just be. Be in the moment. Be happy. To just breathe and not have to be fighting for something or fighting off someone.
My Review – Tyson
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
My heart goes out to Tyson. Although I was not very happy with him in the last book I have to say he is on the path to making me see the greatness in him. He is not without flaws I mean he did ask Arial to keep things from his brothers. He has so much guilt going on because he feels responsible for tearing his family apart. They mean everything to him and he would do anything to protect them. I love how we get to know why Tyson is the way he is.
Ever since the day Arial pulled them all into a dream their focus has been to treat her the best they can and protect her. I do like that we got to see behind Tysons walls because man can he toss them up fast. It is amazing the way the brothers are such a tightknit coven and only want what’s best for Arial. Then when you see how none of them get jealous of one another for spending time with Arial only makes me think so much more of them. They truly want and need Arial to love all of them.
The ending was the best with all of them together as a unit. I am so ready for more of these brothers and Arial. I enjoy learning more and more about these guys but I like that we find out about each one right along with Arial.
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Forbidden Secrets (Lee County Wolfs Series) by Teresa Gabelman
My Review – Forbidden Secrets
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
OH my Goodness finally its Leda’s story. We have seen her grow as a young teen to an amazing woman ready to avenge her family.
we get to know Leda when her, her brother, and Janna walked into Lee County territory. We saw Leda’s and a favorite of mine VC Warrior Steve’s relationship. Leda is all grown up and ready to take back her pack that was suddenly taken from her. SH e sets off on her own to right the wrong. She doesn’t tell anyone her true plan for fear she will put her new family in jeopardy.
Taz who has known Leda was his since the first time he saw her but he was willing to wait it out tell she realized the truth about them and didn’t like Steve handing around. When Taz realized he let Leda leave Lee County he is now hell bent on finding her. HE even enlists the help of the one person he cannot stand Steve, yeap you read that right. All I can say is Steve is Steve and all but drives Taz or should I say Tax insane.
Leda is in search of her uncle to avenge her parents deaths. Little did she know the ones she was protecting were on the way. Her pack and the VC Worriers have her back and will no matter what.
Will they all walk away or was Leda right in trying to keep them all away.
This book was amazing we meet Leda’s old pack, her BFF Jamie and Jamie’s brother, Malcolm. I love the chemistry between Leda and Taz, and the interactions between Taz and Sam stole my heart. I am more excited for this series. There are so many possibility with the Lee County pack. I cannot wait to see where Teresa takes us next.
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If you would like to meet any of these wonderful ladies you can on July 20, 2019 at Writers on The River. To purchase tickets visit us at Writers On The River.
I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and may it filled with lots of good reading.