First DNF of 2023

 I've been listening to an audiobook of Begin Again by Emma Lord. I want to like this book but I'm currently 47% into it and I want to quit SO BAD. There is no way I'm going to finish it. Below is the synopsis and more of my thoughts.

Andie Rose transfers from community college to the hyper competitive Blue Ridge State, major in psychology. But the moment Andie arrives her plans go off the rails. Her rocky relationship with her boyfriend Connor only gets more complicated because he transferred back home! 

But sometimes, when all your plans are in rubble at your feet, you find out what you’re made of. And when Andie starts to find the power of her voice as the anonymous Squire on the school’s legendary pirate radio station Andie learns that not all the best laid plans are necessarily the right ones. Filled with a friend group that feels like family, an empowering journey of finding your own way, and a Just Kiss Already! romance.

The book is a total slow burn and the writing isn't bad but I honestly just couldn't take Andie - she got on my nerves every minute I listened to the book. Her need to fix everything and take the blame for stuff was annoying and she wasn't very good at it to begin with. I also thought her relationship with Conner lasted way to long and he was a little douchey not to mention his annoying parents. I think there was a lot going on in the story and clearly her college experience was different than mine for sure. I wanted to like this but couldn't. Sorry.

Explosive Forces by D.D. Ayres

Explosive Forces is the next installment of the K-9 Rescue novels by D.D. Ayres and I was very excited to be able to read this book before it came out! I've recently read a few of the other books in the series and found that I really enjoyed all of the tie ins to the other books. This story is about a former model, Carly, who finds herself in some seriously hot water with a hot arson investigator. Noah Glover is in over his head but can't seem to help himself when it comes to the gorgeous girl who saves him.

I enjoyed the story line in this book even though it doesn't really tie into the series like the rest of the books I've read so far. I absolutely adored the K-9 star of the book Harley and his devotion to his master. Noah is so very alpha male and could certainly start fan my flames any day. Carly is an interesting lady but I couldn't really picture her in my head very well with the descriptions. I liked the couples interactions and really felt like I could understand not only the danger but the urgency in the book. I do wish there was a little more build up during the end scene but I don't feel cheated or anything. I really have enjoyed this series and can't wait for the next!!

This book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

United As One by Pittacus Lore

The conclusion to the New York Times bestselling I Am Number Four series is here. The Mogadorian invasion has come to Earth, and they have all but won the battle for our planet. Their warships loom over our most populous cities—like New York City, Tokyo, Moscow, Beijing, and New Delhi—and no army will risk making a move against them. The Garde are all that stand in their way . . . but they are no longer alone in this fight. Human teens from across the globe, like John Smith’s best friend, Sam Goode, have begun to develop Legacies of their own.The Garde have always known there is power in numbers. If they can find these new allies and join forces with them, they just might be able to win this war. The time has come for the Garde to make their final stand.

I have been reading this series for the last few years and I am sad to see it come to an end. There was A LOT of action in this last book, which I think was to be expected if you've been a fan. I both loved and hated what they did to Johns character in this last book. Grief can do some horrible things to a person as we see with a few characters here but I'm glad that in the end grief doesn't win. I do think that they wrapped everything up a little quick in the end. I would have been happy with another couple hundred pages to iron out the details but what can you do. I'm really hoping that with the way things were left they either bust out another book, a spin off or even some more novellas!

If you haven't read this series I would totally recommend it - the writing and story are spot on!

This book was kindly provided to me by my local Library!!

Sin by Violetta Rand

Sin by Violetta Rand introduces us to Macey Taylor who happens to be a stripper at the Devil's Den. Macey tells it like she sees it and isn't interested in taking anyone's crap. Joshua Camden came back to Texas to put his Ivy League education to use as the new manager for Devil's Den. Camden is working to make the Devil's Den into a High Class Gentlemen's Club but not everyone appreciates the changes he wants to make. Both Macey and Joshua have just come out of serious relationships with equally serious baggage and trust issues but that doesn't stop the instant attraction between them. While Macey works to push him away Joshua is working to draw her in. Can these two make it work or will it explode?

This book is the third book of a series titled Devils Den and I haven't read the first two but this just sounded very cute and I loved the cover. I very much enjoyed Macey because she comes across as strong and tell you like it is but really she has insecurity issues like every girl on earth. The chemistry between Macey and Joshua was just insane and I couldn't tell from page to page if they were going to rock the earth or just plain explode. Each of them had some serious trust issues which I'm guessing really only time will fix considering it hadn't been very long since either had been cheated on. I enjoyed the secondary cast of characters in this book and hopefully I'll be able to learn more about them once I've read the other books. Loved Simon and Glenda! I like that Joshua is supportive of her choices while they are together even if that's stripping for other guys.

There were a few things I would have liked to know more about like more of Macey's past because they alluded to it but didn't go into any depth, her new job, what happens with Bishop and more info in the epilogue would have been nice. Now granted I might find out some of those things in previous and future books but I'm impatient and want them now lol. Overall I liked this book and plan to check out more in the series for sure. A solid 3 1/2 stars.

This book was kindly provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Baked Fresh by Annabeth Albert

Annabeth Albert brings us another fun read about Vic Degrassi a baker on the rise in Portland. Vic goes after what he wants—and gets it whether it's losing weight, giving up smoking, or graduating from culinary school. Vic decides he wants Robin Dawson, the sweet-hearted hottie who volunteers with him at the local homeless shelter. When he learns that Robin is suddenly single after being unceremoniously dumped, Vic is more than happy to offer a shoulder to cry on—or at least a fresh-baked pastry to bite into. But it's been a long time since Vic's gone on a date, and he's nervous about risking his friendship with Robin. So when their flirtation turns into a steamy night together, Vic and Robin have to figure out if they're friends with benefits or lovers in the making, and if Robin is ready for something more than just a rebound.

I really enjoyed this book and thought the characters were just adorable. I like the differences in Robin and Vic and how they see each other. The description of the book led me to think that Vic's New Years resolutions would play a bigger part than it did but it didn't really detract from the story. Robin's previous relationship was certainly not really healthy at all but I would have liked to hear a little more about it rather than just guessing from how he is so skittish now. I thought that Annabeth did a very good job of displaying the self image issues that many people face after losing a lot of weight like Vic did. I was super excited to see Robby and David from the previous book too. I really look forward to reading more from this author.

I was given this awesome book to give my honest review of from NetGalley!

Blue Books

Today, April 2, 2015, is World Autism Day which is the kickoff for Autism Awareness Month. Just like Breast Cancer paints the town pink in October Autism likes to light up April with BLUE. Autism touches my life, just like it touches millions of others all over the world. So on this wonderful day I would like to share with you some "blue" books in the spirit of lighting up this post blue. I haven't read these (yet) but they certainly look interesting. I hope you enjoy!!

13 Little Blue Envelopes

A Different Blue

Shades of Blue

Crushed by Lauren Layne

Crushed by Lauren Layne is a book about two people who thought they knew what they wanted until they actually got it. Michael St. Claire grew up in New York but sets out to Cedar Grove, Texas to escape his life and find out more about his real father and the family that never knew about him. Chloe Bellamy has lived in the shadow of her pretty sister, Kristen, her whole life.

Chloe Bellamy has been in love with Devon Patterson for years but has resigned herself to just be his friend while Kristen has what she wants. Michael's plan was to use pretty, refined Kristen to meddle with his half brothers life. Michael decides to use Chloe's crush on Kristen's boyfriend to strike a deal with the curvy quirky Bellamy sister.

Chloe has always felt like the ugly one next to her picture perfect sister. Chloe would never do anything to break up her sisters relationship but she can't help but think that Devon is with the wrong girl. Michael is bringing some major baggage from New York and thinks that stirring up trouble will make the chaos in his life calm down. The book starts out with Michael and Chloe bickering before deciding to strike a deal to get Chloe in better health in order to show Devon what he's missing.

This story is really a tale of 'the grass is always greener on the other side'. Ladies with straight hair prefer curly and ladies with natural curls use straighteners. We always think we want what we can't really have. Chloe started out as Devon's best friend and thought herself in love with him before he became popular and started dating her sister Kristen. She has had to watch what she wanted being flaunted in her face for years while eating her feelings and hiding behind sarcasm. Along came Michael who guessed her dilemma immediately and, for his own selfish reasons, decides to help her get fit while showing Devon what he's missing. Michael doesn't really know what he wants but seems drawn to this curvy sarcastic girl with the mess of curls.

I really really enjoyed this book! Chloe is beyond funny and I love that she just pokes at Michael or Beefcake as she calls him. Who would have known that the Star Spangled Banner would be used like that? I just about fell over laughing at that whole thing. I thought Michael was definitely a smidgen broody but then again after his history is fully explained I understood him a little more and forgave his bi-polar self. The reunion at Micheal's place was a little bit crazy but a whole bunch perfect. I laughed a lot while reading this book and that's ALWAYS a good thing! I can't say that I was a big Kristen fan but then again I have to recognize that not every person can have depth, some people are just shallow like a puddle. I wasn't a huge fan of the way Chloe saw Devon in the beginning but then again that's how first crushes go. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wanted a sweet fun read with minimal drama. I totally would be down with a sequel.

This ARC was kindly provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.