Review — Clouded by Envy

Clouded by Envy

Author: Candace Robinson

Release Date: February 19, 2019

Pages: 215

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads | Amazon

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Synopsis:

Brenik has always been envious of his twin sister, Bray. Growing up as fairy-like creatures, known as bats, everything came easier to Bray. While Brenik spent his time in her shadows, never feeling he was enough. After escaping their world of Laith, and living on Earth for ten years, Brenik attempts to strike a deal with the Stone of Desire to become human. Though true humanity is not an option, he will accept the curse that will alter him to get as close as he can.

Living in a tree trunk for the past year hasn’t been easy for Bray, more so after her brother disappears again. When a human boy and his brother, Wes, find her, a new friendship is struck. Through Wes, Bray learns there can be more to life than waiting within a tree. But worrying over where Brenik has vanished to always remains in the back of her mind.

When Bray reunites with Brenik, she realizes she must help him break the curse after she discovers the need for blood is beginning to overpower him. The curse not only damages those who get close to Brenik, but it could also destroy whatever is blooming between Bray and Wes.

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Review:

Holy smokes this book! I was sucked in from the very beginning and couldn’t stop until the last page. Even then I have found myself thinking of the book and wanting to go re-read it to get into the story all over again.

From the beginning I felt an intense draw to both Brenik and Bray. I loved that the book is split into the POV of them both so you get to understand what is going on while they are apart. The sibling combo will pull out all sorts of emotions in you, including fear, suspense, love, negativity, hope, romance, and more.

If you are looking for a book that will pull out the best and worst of your feelings (in a good way, I promise) this book is for you. The plot is amazing and makes you not able to stop reading. There is so much that goes on that you can’t help but turn each page to find out what is going to happen next. There are some crazy twists put into the story that makes you gasp out loud and try to rein in yourself from the storm that is brewing in your soul. This book will be put into my favorites and I will be rereading this for the rest of my life!

Review — Courtside Crush

Courtside Crush

Author: Kayla Tirrell

Release Date: February 12, 2019

Pages: 223

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads | Amazon

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Synopsis:

So much for senior year being the best part of high school.

It all started when I caught my boyfriend cheating on me.
I did what any girl would do—I got revenge. Of course, it didn’t stop there. Thanks to a condemning video, I also got eight weeks of community service and athletic probation right before basketball season is supposed to start. (There goes my spot as captain!)

Thankfully, there’s a guy at Marlowe Junction’s Helping Hands who makes passing the time more enjoyable. He’s gorgeous, funny, and a huge basketball fan.
Too bad he’s also my brother’s biggest enemy…

Courtside Crush is a modern-day retelling of Romeo and Juliet, perfect for anyone who likes their sweet romance with a dash of drama. It is the first book in the Varsity Girlfriends series. 

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Review:

I devoured this book as quick as I could, even with work and life getting in the way I managed to get it finished in 2 sittings. It was amazing. I love the Romeo and Juliet take on the book and even how it is worked within the pages. You will have to read it to find out how it ends though 🙂

I couldn’t help loving Jackson from the start. Even when all the drama comes out I stood by his side as I flipped through each page. I found myself wanting to yell at Charlie but I understand it’s hard when there are other factors involved that can really upset someone that is really close to you. The budding romance was so adorable I found myself smiling to the point my cheeks hurt. Also the banter between them was enough to make me literally laugh out loud and get weird looks from my other half. 

This book is set in a mainly a high school but you also get some outside settings of houses and community service locations. I loved getting to follow Charlie around to get more wonderful pictures of her and Jackson into my head.

This is a clean romance but it will still leave you with the warm fuzzies as you read through each page. It was so sweet I couldn’t help but devour it and love each and every chapter I went through. I found my emotions on a rollercoaster ride needing to know what happens next and I know you all will too!

Review — Reylor’s Lament

Reylor’s Lament

Author: M. Dalto

Release Date: February 5, 2019

Pages: 111

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads | Amazon

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Synopsis:

After being banished for questioning his own Fate, Reylor spent his years alone beyond the Borderlands, biding his time and honing his skills until the perfect moment to reclaim what he believed was his – the Empress. Through treachery and deceit, he clawed his way back into the Prophecy that all but abandoned him… but he didn’t achieve it alone. With the help of allies new and known, the former Lord Steward will stop at nothing to see to it that both the Empress, and the Empire, remain by his side once and for all.

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Review:

I loved Two Thousand Years, so of course I needed to read this right away to get more of this world. I also was very interested to find out more about Reylor and how this all came to be. We all know he went bad but I wanted to see why. I feel I now have a better grasp on him and even though I still find him to be a “bad boy” I also feel there is so many misunderstandings put out there. It is up to you all to figure out what those might be.

I loved this story and am glad I decided to pick it up. You also get more glimpses of Treyan as well within these pages. Even a younger Treyan which will make you smile. I loved getting to know him from a point of view outside of himself or Alex’s POV.

This novella follows Reylor not only in the present time but also in the past to give you a full glimpse of him as a person and how things came to be. Im definitely having my heart stolen by Reylor the more i read one! I loved the flops between the times and having everything come together. I have more questions for this series but the author did a wonderful job of giving us some answers as well as giving us more things to question so we stay fully engaged and waiting impatiently until the next book!

Review — Dracula Retold

Dracula Retold

Author: SGD Singh

Release Date: February 1, 2019

Pages: 480

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads | Amazon

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Synopsis:

Inspired by E. Nesbit’s Shakespeare Stories and the BBC’s The Musketeers, S.G.D. Singh’s Dracula Retold takes Bram Stoker’s captivating tale of an un-dead Count and those brave enough to challenge him, and brings it into the twenty-first century. Discover the world’s favorite vampire, whose fame has endured for more than a century and influenced countless films, novels, and art across the globe—or rediscover a favorite classic and fall under the spell of this mesmerizing adventure all over again.

DRACULA RETOLD: A young lawyer travels to Transylvania, where he begins to doubt his own sanity and unwittingly helps to unleash an ancient evil across the sea and onto the teeming streets of London. A beloved and beautiful woman suffers from a puzzling illness, her blood mysteriously drained with each passing day. And a group of improbable heroes gather to hunt a vampire. Can they destroy the creature before it’s too late for us all?

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Review:

Being someone who has never read Dracula, I still have to say WOW about this book! Even with it being longer, I couldn’t stop myself from read it. I devoured it in a day and a half. I would have gotten it done in a day if life didn’t get in the way. I LOVED every second of it!

The characters are so easy to love from the beginning. The suspense from going through the pages make you want to bite your nails for the character and hope they find a way to all make it out alive. It being a horror I definitely knew something was going to happen but I was never able to guess what the next curveball was going to be.

I found myself feeling bad for Dracula at certain times, but I knew that I shouldn’t and he would prove himself to not be worthy of any of my concern. The author still makes you have doubt about your bad feelings due to her expressive detail of all the moments to make you want to love even the hardest to love creatures. I was happy for the outcome even if it will put tears in your eyes.

As I stated before, I haven’t read Dracula, but now I am scared to read it because this book engrossed me so completely that I don’t think even the classic could compare to my love for this book. The details, characters, and overwhelming suspense and emotions will carry you from page to page and leave you without words when you finish the last page!

Blog Tour — Two Thousand Years

Two Thousand Years (The Empire Saga #1) 

Author: M. Dalto 

Publication date: December 11th 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genres: Fantasy, New Adult

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

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Synopsis:

Two thousand years ago, the Prophecy of Fire and Light foretold the coming of the Queen Empress who would lead the Empire into a time of peace and tranquility. But instead of the coming of a prosperous world, a forbidden love for the Empress waged a war that ravaged the land, creating a chasm between the factions, raising the death toll of innocent lives until the final, bloody battle.

Centuries later, Alexandra, a twenty-two-year-old barista living in Boston, is taken to an unfamiliar realm of mystery and magic where her life is threatened by Reylor, its banished Lord Steward. She crosses paths with Treyan, the arrogant and seductive Crown Prince of the Empire, and together they discover how their lives, and their love, are so intricately intertwined by a Prophecy set in motion so many years ago.

Alex, now the predestined Queen Empress Alexstrayna, whose arrival was foretold by the Annals of the Empire, controls the fate of her new home as war rages between the Crown Prince and Lord Steward. Either choice could tear her world apart as she attempts to keep the Empire’s torrid history from repeating itself. In a realm where betrayal and revenge will be as crucial to her survival as love and honor, Alex must discover whether it is her choice – or her fate – that determines how she survives the Empire’s rising conflicts.

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Review

Wow this book! The synopsis doesn’t give it any justice. I was sucked in from the very first page and even after i closed the book saying finished.

There is so much suspense in this book that you can’t help but turn each page to find out more. The details in the book are done so well you feel like you are really there following the story with your own eyes.

I loved Treyan. I definitely think there are things we haven’t found out about him but i feel deep in my core that he is good no matter what.

Alex annoyed me at times with her actions but I also can’t blame her either. Heck, I would probably do the same things if I was her. She has a good head on her shoulders and I can’t wait to find out more.

The author keeps you guessing as you get all the twists and turns and she makes them delicious along the way. I can’t wait for the next book!

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About the Author

M. Dalto is a fiction author of adventurous romantic fantasy and her debut novel, Two Thousand Years, won one of Wattpad’s Watty Awards in 2016. She continues to volunteer her time as an Ambassador, where she hopes to engage and inspire new writers. She spends her days as a full-time residential real estate paralegal, using her evenings to pursue her literary agenda. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, playing video games, and drinking coffee. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband, their daughter, and their corgi named Loki.

Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Website

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Giveaway

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

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Review — To Dream is to Die

To Dream is to Die

Author: Sarah Lampkin

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Pages: 296

Goodreads | Amazon

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Synopsis:

Eighteen-year-old Brenna Whit is entering college as a freshman and starting to meet new people, but she hides a dark secret. Because of an accident that happened three years ago, her spirit wanders the Fade whenever she falls asleep. It’s something she wants to keep hidden from the world, but when she sees someone watching her in spirit form, she fears the secret’s out. With new friends, possibly new enemies, school, and a new crush, Brenna has too much to worry about for just her freshman year of college.

Review:

Holy cow this book! I knew it sounded interesting but i had no idea how sucked into the pages I was gonna get! I loved every page and was sucked in from page one and even now being finished, I want to keep reading and know what happens. 

I loved Brenna. I usually dont like the female leads but I have to say that isnt the case here. She was such a strong character even when she had moments of stubbornness. 

Aeria and Damon are also 2 characters I couldn’t get enough of. It was refreshing to have two good friends in the mix that even I as a reader trusted. I can’t wait to read the next book and get more of all 3 of these characters. 

This book deals with a girl who walks in the spirit plane while she sleeps. What all that entails you will have to read to find out. You stay in suspense the whole time, unable to figure out where things are going to go, which of course makes it even better. You won’t be able to stop reading and get ready for a book hangover once you finish the last page!

Review — Forgiving Keven

Forgiving Keven

Author: Siobhan Davis

Release Date: January 7, 2019

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Pages: 400F

Goodreads | Amazon

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Synopsis:

She’s the one who got away. He’s the boy she can’t forget…

Cheryl
They say you never forget your first love, but I’m determined to prove Keven Kennedy is just a random boy from my past. 

It’s not like I still think about him after all this time. Or daydream about how hot his kisses were and what it felt like to have his hands on my skin.

Nope, that’s not me. I’m in a happy place in my life. Engaged to a great man and finishing the last year of my photography degree. 

But since I returned to Massachusetts, everything reminds me of the boy who ripped my heart to shreds. Especially when my fiancé’s constant business trips, and dwindling attention, raises old fears to the surface.

And then the unthinkable happens—Keven saunters back into my life, turning it upside down once more. 

It’s ironic he thinks he’s protecting me when the only one I need protecting from is him.

Keven
They say you never forget your first love. In my case, it’s true. Most everyone in high school thought Cheryl and I were a match made in heaven and that nothing could tear us apart. Until I messed up spectacularly and lost the best thing to ever happen to me. 

Years have passed, girls have come and gone, but no one has laid claim to my heart in the way Cheryl did.

I thought she was lost to me forever when an unexpected encounter with an uptight FBI agent, and an intriguing proposition, brings the beautiful blonde back into my life. 

I didn’t hesitate to sign on the dotted line.

I let Cheryl down once before. I’m not going to fail her this time.

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Review:

I have been following this series from the beginning and I can’t stop reading them all! All of the books are full of suspense and twists, but this one takes the cake. I found myself biting my nails the whole time. 

I loved Cheryl and I am glad I got to follow her POV to know what she was going through. There were times I wanted to shake her, but I understand why she does certain things and it made me like her even more. She was a true, real character, not one of those characters that are very unbelievable.

Of course I loved Keven already. I found myself drawn to him from early on in this series and wanting to know more about him. Naturally I was so excited to get my hands on this book and finally get him into my system! Everything about him drew me in and I found myself adding him to my book boyfriend list. 

This book is packed full of so many emotions. Love, anger, fear, suspense, anxiety, turmoil, loss, and family love. I am sure there are more that I just can’t seem to put into words. The pages will fly by as you devour it, you won’t be able to put it down. The characters go through so much that you have to know what happens next. The author truly has a gift for making sure you are sucked in from the very first page and not able to let it go even after the book is finished. I know I will be in a book hangover and possibly have to re-read this one right away!

Review — The Dream Keeper

The Dream Keeper

Author: Amber R. Duell

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Release Date: January 29, 2019

Pages: 288

Goodreads | Amazon

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Synopsis:

The Sandman is seventeen-year-old Nora’s closest friend and best-kept secret. He has to be, if she doesn’t want a one-way ticket back to the psychiatrist. It took her too long to learn not to mention the hooded figure in her dreams to her mother, who still watches Nora as if she’ll crack. So when Nora’s friends start mysteriously dying gruesome deaths in their sleep, she isn’t altogether surprised when the police direct their suspicion at her. The Sandman is the only one she can turn to for answers. But the truth might be more than she bargained for…

For the last five years, the Sandman has spent every night protecting Nora. When he hid the secret to the Nightmare Lord’s escape inside her dreams, he never expected to fall in love with her. Neither did he think his nemesis would find her so quickly, but there’s no mistaking his cruel handiwork. The Nightmare Lord is tired of playing by the rules and will do anything to release his deadly nightmares into the world, even if that means tormenting Nora until she breaks.

When the Nightmare Lord kidnaps Nora’s sister, Nora must enter enemy territory to save her. The Sandman is determined to help, but if Nora isn’t careful, she could lose even more than her family to the darkness.

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Review:

I found myself struggling with the beginning of this book, not because it was bad, it definitely wasn’t. I was just in a book slump but decided to keep going and man am I glad I did. I found myself eventually not able to pull myself away and devoured the rest of the book.

The sandman was breathtaking and I loved following his POVs. You can’t help but swoon and want to jump in and help him out. He goes through so much but he holds his heart the whole way. It is so sweet it makes you want to cry as you keep reading.

Nora was a strong character even with her faults. I enjoyed reading her POV and knowing what all is going through her head. She battles a lot mentally throughout the pages but she always finds a way. I love when characters don’t give up even when the impossible happens.

The whole plot of this book sucked me in. I couldn’t help but needing to know what happens next. This is a story that I haven’t read anything like and I loved every page. I found myself biting my nails to know what is going to happen. I know with that cliffhanger that I will be impatiently waiting for the next one to come out!

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Tour and Review — Surviving Amber Springs

Surviving Amber Springs

Author: Siobhan Davis

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Reverse Harem

Release Date: December 26, 2018

Pages: 365

Tour Host: Lola’s Blog Tours

Goodreads | Amazon

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Synopsis:

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone…

I’m the second-most hated person in Amber Springs.

First place honors go to my twin, Ethan; however, hate isn’t a strong enough word to convey how people feel about him.

Not that I blame anyone—some days, I hate him too. Mostly, I’m just lost and afraid, drowning in a sea of betrayal and guilt, wondering how this happened right under my nose.There’s no choice but to leave. To move clear across the country in a last-ditch attempt to start over.

Transferring to a new school midway through senior year is hellish for most people. For me, it’s a welcome relief—until someone discovers our secret and now everyone knows.The pointing, whispering, and scathing looks follow me around again, and I’m back to square one. Except, this time, I’m not alone.

Axel, Skeet, and Heath took me under their wing from the minute I arrived here. I’ve no idea why three of the hottest guys in town took any interest in me or why they continue to have my back, but I’m so grateful to have them in my corner.

Because, right now, they’re the only reason I’m not following my brother into an early grave.

Due to sensitive content, and possible triggers, this book is recommended to readers aged 18+. Full length novel.

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Review:

If there was ever a book that leaves me speechless, its this one. I cant even begin to figure out how to say how beautiful this book is. I find myself wanting to start the book over to re-read it all over again!

This book follows Blaire who is broken beyond repair for something that happens in her life. Once you know what happens you want to break down with her and cry. All she goes through is heartbreaking and i’m so glad she finds the loves of her life to help her feel whole again.

I usually can pick a favorite book boyfriend, easily i might add. I cant say that with the book. I found myself switching and being conflicted until the very end. Siobhan does a wonderful job with keeping the twists coming and having go reassess how you feel about the characters and situations. When you think you have it all figured out, you find out you are sorely mistaken. She is the master at this and it makes me love her writing so much.

This book contains very sensitive subjects but i want to tell you to give it a shot, you will love every page you read and be so glad you picked it up. This will definitely go into my pile of books i will cherish and reread for the rest of my life.

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Excerpt

“Oh my fucking God!” Shaznay shrieks in a high pitched tone. I push Skeet off me so fast it’s almost a superpower. He tumbles to the floor, chuckling as he wipes my lip gloss off his mouth. “My eyes will never recover!” Shaznay looks like she just swallowed something nasty. “Seriously, I don’t know how I’ll scrub the image of you two dry humping from my retinas or my brain. You need a cold shower or a muzzle or something.” She jabs a finger pointedly in her brother’s direction.

“Perhaps you should learn to knock first,” Skeet suggests, climbing to his feet and helping me to mine. “And you’re overreacting, like always. It’s not like we were naked and screwing our brains out.”

“Ugh, you are a disgusting pig.” She turns to me. “I don’t know how you can make out with him.”

“Because he’s hot and an awesome kisser,” I retort with a cheeky wink, earning me a firm peck on the lips.

“God, could you be any more perfect,” Skeet muses, snaking his arms around me.

“God, could you be any more puke inducing,” Shaznay snarks back.

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in ages.

“Dinner’s ready,” she adds. “And we better go before Mom sends Sage down here. I need to protect her innocent eyes from the live porno I just watched.”

“Overreaction,” Skeet whispers, kissing the top of her head as he tows me with me toward the stairs. “If it was a porno, I’d have Blaire—”

Shaznay clamps her hand over Skeet’s mouth muffling him. “Do not even think about finishing that sentence,” she warns, narrowing her eyes at him.

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis writes emotionally intense young adult and new adult romantic fiction with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She is the author of the international bestselling Kennedy Boys, Saven, and True Calling series’.

Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.

Goodreads | Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

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Review — The First Love Anthology

 

The First Love Anthology (A Collection of Novellas)

Author: Amy Sparling

Release Date: December 26, 2018

Publisher: Self-Published

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Pages: 238

Format: ebook

 

| Goodreads | Amazon |

Synopsis:

The First Love Anthology is a collection of five novellas about first love. These quick, romantic teen reads are perfect for anyone who loves a good story about finding your first love. They can be read in order or as standalone stories.

This anthology includes:

❤ The Text Dare
Sixteen-year-old Jess Parker is stuck babysitting her little brother all weekend, which is why she accepts her best friend’s dare: to text the random phone number they found written on a lost piece of algebra homework. When the owner of the number texts back, Jess and Max hit it off through their anonymous conversation. The last thing Jess expected was to spend her boring weekend texting the guy of her dreams, and now that she’s crushing hardcore on a guy she’s never met, she hopes he’s actually the guy he claims to be.

❤ My Un-Famous Neighbor
Shelby Cross lives in the literal middle-of-nowhere. The only time people come to her town is because they run out of gas or make a wrong turn. So when a dangerously cute boy and his mom show up at her parent’s diner one morning, it’s a surprise when they announce they plan on living there. Shelby knows that only people with secrets move to the middle-of-nowhere, and she’s right. Clay Thompson has a pretty big secret. He used to be famous.

❤ Heartbreaker
Mae Warren is a heartbreaker. Starting with her first boyfriend in seventh grade to the most recent victim in her senior year, Mae can’t date a guy longer than two weeks before she’s tired of him. She doesn’t see a problem until her BFF Jacie challenges her to date someone for an entire month. Determined to win this bet, Mae chooses to date Jaxon, the guy who’s crushed on her for years. This should be easy…right?

❤ The New Guy
Dance class is no joke for sixteen-year-old Asha Bronte. She’s been elected as an officer for the class, which is a huge responsibility and honor, and she’s not going to screw it up. She has goals in life, and her family is worse than broke, so the only way she’s going to college is on a scholarship. Her academics and extra-curricular activities have totally taken over her life.

Liam Bavaro just moved to town and his first day of school isn’t going so well. The only elective class available is dance. Dance class? He’d rather drop out and live life as a bum than ever step foot in a tutu or tights. The cute girl at the sign up table clearly doesn’t want him to join her class, either. And, well, now Liam can’t say no.

❤ For Just One Day
Emma has better ways to spend her Friday night, but unfortunately she’s stuck at a museum with her mom and her mom’s new boyfriend. When she slips away and the lights go out, Emma finds herself locked in the ancient building with no cell phone and no way out.

Jaxxon is on a mission to find something he lost in the museum before it closes. What he finds instead is a pretty girl who is accidentally locked inside the building with him. They’re both dealing with their own issues, but for just one night, they’ll have to set it aside and figure out how to rescue themselves.

 

My Review:

The Text Dare – ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ 
Im normally not one for short stories but this book has changed my opinion. The author manages to give you all the feels in a short amount of pages. The characters are well written and believable with a flow that makes you smile the whole time. She was able to pack some much emotion into the pages that you feel you get a full length novel. I can see me picking this book up anytime i need a feel good romance in a small window of time. 

My Un-Famous Neighbor – ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Oh man! This was so cute! The author does it again by making a short story have all the elements you feel in a full size book. I felt i got plenty of details on the character and the scenes to be able to have my own personal movie in my head. I loved clay and shelby and following their story. The story felt real and genuine. Loved every page of it!

Heartbreaker – ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Swoon! I LOVE this one! I felt bad for some of the guys mentioned in here, but once Jaxon was revealed, I was sucked in. I love a sweet and shy nerd! The characters get so much depth in such a small amount of pages and I love it. I wish i could have gotten more out of this story just because I love them so much. From Jaxon, to maxie and jacie, i enjoyed each and every one of the characters. The writing flows so well and makes you fly through it. Savoring each detail along the way!

The New Guy -❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
I will admit, at the beginning I struggled a little bit. I wasnt big on Liam. But as the story progressed i started to like him more and more. I loved Asha. I know all shes going through and I couldnt help cheering her on in the process. She is a strong character with lots of heart. Im glad it all comes together in the end to leave us all with smiles on our faces!

For Just One Day – ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Awww. Such a cute little story. This one is packed with lots of emotions and finding good in all the bad. Both characters seem to have a rough life going on and its nice to find the meaning put between the pages. I left this book with a smile on my face, warmth in my heart, and a new outlook on life.