Review: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

4 stars for Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover.

It has been almost 8 months since I last read a New Adult contemporary romance. Since many of the New Adult novels come across very much like reading a young adult novel with characters that are very juvenile, I have a tendency to procrastinate reading this particular genre even after enthusiastically adding the book onto my list of to-be-read.

Reading Ugly Love does not feel like perusing a New Adult novel even though the main characters are in their early to mid twenties. Instead, I find myself burying deep into a world where the characters' well-reasoned actions not only speak for their behavior, but also tells of a painful past.

The female protagonist, Tate, a strong-headed 23-year old girl pursuing her master's degree in nursing to allow her to administer anesthesia, is doing whatever she can to avoid relationships. As it goes, fate has it that the man of her dreams is so not on the same page as Tate and there is pretty much nothing she can do to improve her position; she wants so much more than what he is giving her and he wants so much less than what she wants to give him. The situation is made worse when she is neither allowed to ask about his past nor to expect a future.

The story is smooth flowing and well written with a storyline that pulls at my heartstrings and stays with me for the rest of the day. The only grievance I have is that where the story is narrated by the man, the words are arranged in center text position, making it extremely reader unfriendly.

All in all, a beautiful heartbreaking story that centers around letting go of the past and learning to love all over again.

Publisher: Atria Books
Publication date: 5 Aug 2014

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When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Devil's Game (Reapers MC #3) by Joanna Wylde

4 stars for Devil's Game (Reapers Motorcycle Club book 3) by Joanna Wylde.

Devil's Game covers some of the same period and events in book 2 Reaper's Legacy. Nevertheless, it is equally if not more exciting, to read the events unfolding from Em's point of view. Also, the tone and structure set in Devil's Game is slightly different from the previous two books, differentiating it as a New Adult. To that end, the story makes for an amazing good mix of the Motocycle Club, people and traditions.

One chapter in and I know I am in for a sweet wild ride with a good bad-boy biker (Liam), and an awesome sexy bike chick (Em).

Devil's Game is a delightful and engaging read with a strong storyline. However, I do feel that the second half of the story has a tad too many rhythmic steamy scenes which the book could do better with less.

Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: 3Jun 2014

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Liam “Hunter” Blake hates the Reapers MC. Born and raised a Devil’s Jack, he knows his duty. He’ll defend his club from their oldest enemies—the Reapers—using whatever weapons he can find. But why use force when the Reapers’ president has a daughter who’s alone and vulnerable? Hunter has wanted her from the minute he saw her, and now he has an excuse to take her.

Em has lived her entire life in the shadow of the Reapers. Her overprotective father, Picnic, is the club’s president. The last time she had a boyfriend, Picnic shot him. Now the men in her life are far more interested in keeping her daddy happy than showing her a good time. Then she meets a handsome stranger—a man who isn’t afraid to treat her like a real woman. One who isn’t afraid of her father. His name is Liam, and he’s The One.

Or so she thinks.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Searching for Tomorrow (Tomorrows #1) by Kathryn McNeill Crane

2 stars for Searching for Tomorrow (Tomorrows book 1) by Kathryn McNeill Crane.

The story is smooth flowing and starts out great. However, after the first few chapters, it takes way too long to get to its point leading to drastic waning of my interest to continue with each turning page.

At 25% into the book, my patience reaches its limit and I find myself skimming through and skipping chunks in search of something interesting and exciting to captivate me. Sadly, nothing grabs my attention and at 60%, I give up even on fast forwarding and jump right to the epilogue. I am glad to have done that because the ending is just so and I have been spared the torture of struggling with reading for the sake of making to the end.

For a debut novel, this is actually not too bad. Unfortunately, it really is not my type.

Publisher: Indie Express LLC; 2 edition
Publication date: 21 Oct 2013

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Some people are blessed to find that one certain person who completes them.

Wrynn’s yesterdays were what others only dream of having. She and Tripp were the best of friends before they even thought about love. They had the fairy tale life where ‘like’ turns into ‘love’, and ‘love’ becomes ‘happily ever after’.

What happens when life conspires against you, and snatches your soul mate from your arms?

…only her forever love ended much too soon.

Broken beyond her own ability to repair, Wrynn boxes up her grief and attempts to raise her three girls the best she can on her own. As time slowly passes, Wrynn relives her life with Tripp while struggling most days to get out of bed. She is reminded of him at every turn.

How do you set your grief and anguish aside? How do you pick up the shattered pieces, put those pieces back together again, and try to move on?

Wrynn tries to find the joy in life every single day through her daughters, family, and friends. Her twin brother Liam has dedicated himself to helping Wrynn put her life back together after losing his own love. On the other hand, her mother-in-law lives to torment her at every turn. Wrynn can't even find a chance to breathe, much less a desire to somehow search for her tomorrow.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Perfectly Damaged by E L Montes

5 stars for Perfectly Damaged by E. L. Montes.

A perfectly heartwarming yet heartbreaking story about learning to love yourself and accepting love from others just the way you are. That no matter who you are and what you are going through in life, there are people out there who will love you with no judgment or reservations.

Mental illness is not a topic that can be easily weaved into a beautifully written yet realistically absorbing story setting. Yet E.L. Montes does it skillfully and presents a perfectly emotionally charging piece of work on Schizoaffective disorder: a mental illness in which a person experiences a combination of mood disorder and schizophrenia symptoms.

Publisher: E.L. Montes
Publication date: 8 May 2014

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Schizoaffective disorder: a mental illness in which a person experiences a combination of mood disorder and schizophrenia symptoms.
I know about this illness—very well—because I suffer from it. It’s been four years since my diagnosis, and ever since, I’ve been living in a dark hole. Voices constantly invading my thoughts. Hallucinations. All of which force me to question if what I’m experiencing is even reality.

But here I am, still hanging on, still breathing and living through it.

That is, until he stumbled into my life. Logan Reed. I don’t want any part of him. I’ve pushed him away, but he isn’t easily deterred. I’ve told him I’m different, but he doesn’t care. He’s trying to slowly break me down. I’m trying just as hard not to let him. He doesn’t know how truly damaged I am; what will happen when he does?

I know the truth—he’ll never be able to look at me the same way again. Just like everybody else.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Seven Sons (Gypsy Brothers #1) by Lili St Germain

3.5 stars for Seven Sons (Gypsy Brothers book 1) by Lili St Germain.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.. six years late but better than never.

The Gypsy Brothers series tell of a morally bankrupt motorcycle club and its members, and the girl who seeks her vengeance upon them once she comes of age.

Seven Sons, the first instalment of a total seven, is a refreshing yet disturbingly sad story. The plot is well paced and moves reader along with gripping, heart-stopping fear of safety for the female protagonist. I read the book from beginning to the end within a day, thanks to the 27,000 word count.

P/S: At time of post, this ebook is available for free at Amazon and Smashwords.

Publisher: Lili Saint Germain Publishing; 1 edition
Publication date: 2 Jan 2014

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Her innocence stolen. Her father murdered.

Six years ago, Juliette Portland was viciously attacked and left for dead by by people she trusted. People inside her fathers motorcycle club, greedy for power, who defiled her, shot her father dead and destroyed everything she ever cared about.

Only, she didn't die. She survived ... and now, she's out for revenge

*Blurb from Smashwords*

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Review: Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness #2) by Claire Contreras

2 stars for Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness book 2) by Claire Contreras.

Told in separate points of view, Darkness Before Dawn is the continuation of Blake and Cole's fight to make it to the light.

This is a doable story that pales drastically in comparison with book 1 There is No Light in Darkness. It would have made for a much better script minus the too much crying (by Blake), the excessive copulation (Blake and Cole) and the unwarranted abundant use of profanity.

Publisher: Claire Contreras
Publication Date: 2 Dec 2013

*** Favourite quote ***

The pain in my eyes no longer a visitor, but a full time resident.

~ Darkness Before Dawn
Claire Contreras

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Is love ever enough?

Faced with obstacles she could have never imagined, Blake is brought to darkness and back by forces in her past she never knew existed.

Desperate to stay connected to the only thing he loves, Cole is forced to revisit his past and align himself with the people who knew about Blake’s disappearance.

Separation has forced both Blake and Cole to learn how to live under the worst circumstances, each of them alone in their own hell.

When they reunite, can they be the same two people they were before darkness swept upon them?

Told in separate points of view, Darkness Before Dawn is the continuation of Blake and Cole’s fight to make it to the light.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: There is No Light in Darkness (Darkness #1) by Claire Contreras

4.5 stars for There is No Light in Darkness (Darkness book 1) by Claire Contreras.

I have reservations on reading this book initially as I am not a great fan of New Adult genre. On giving this book a flip, it turns out that I got addicted by chapter 4 and cannot stop reading till late into the night. As it is, I spend bulk of my 3 hour road trip home reading and yes, I finish reading this weepy heartrending story of secrets, truth and love.

I adore the way the author crafted some of the amazing phrases, especially the last sentence in the final paragraph. What more perfect way to conclude a story but using back its own story title.

Publisher: Claire Contreras
Publication Date: 2 Dec 2013

*** Favorite quote 1 ***

In the end, he hurt me more than I hurt him.
I broke his heart, but he tore mine into a million pieces.
Even if I wanted to piece it back together, I would never find them all because he would always be holding some.

*** Favourite quote 2 ***

No matter what you go through in life, don’t be afraid to love.
Loving is the only thing that keeps us sane.
If it weren’t for love, the suffering we experience wouldn’t be worth it.
If it weren’t for the suffering, we wouldn’t cherish the good things life gives us.
Sometimes it’ll seem as though life only knocks you down, but you have to learn to pick yourself up and fight back.

*** Favourite quote 3 ***

My eyes begin to shut heavily -- once, twice, then a third time.
I open them one last time as I try to search for light, but I know I'll never find it,
because there is no light in darkness.

~ There is No Light in Datkness
Claire Contreras

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A past hidden in darkness. Her present cloaked in secrets. The future holds the only truth that cannot be escaped.

After the mysterious and violent death of her parents, Blake Brennan finds comfort with an unconventional family. As the dramatic loss of her parents continues to haunt her—and hinders her from reciprocating love that others give freely—Blake embarks on a harrowing journey in search for the truth.

Living in a constant state of fear and need for control, vivid nightmares reveal details that lead to perilous situations. The past begins to collide with the present, and Blake must decide if the truth is worth losing the ones she loves.

Can love conquer all as her past comes to light? Or will Blake realize that there is no light in darkness?

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Raw by Belle Aurora

Did Not Finish Raw by Belle Aurora.

The author has created two lead characters who are amoral. The heroine, as a social worker should have behaved as one with honorable and ethical values. Yet she cares nothing about the moral character of her hero and instead, looks forward to his stalking and nightly visits. There is absolutely nothing redeeming or appealing about either of these characters or their behaviors.

I give up reading somewhere around 30% of the book. It is a wonder that I have managed to struggle to this much considering how twisted and disturbing the story is. There is not a single drop of romance in this book, but dark, depressing, twisted sex.

This is seriously one of the worst books I have ever read. And I will be staying far, far away from anything else written by this author.

Publisher: Belle Aurora
Publication Date: 13 Jan 2014

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Growing up the way I did, you'd think I'd be more screwed up than what I actually am. Soon as I turned sixteen, I left that bump in the road I called home and took my chances on the street. Best decision I ever made.

Now, at the age of twenty six, I'm educated, employed and damn good at my job. My friends have become my family. Like me, they know what it's like to grow up unloved.

But the saying is true. The world makes way for those who know where they are going. That's me. I know where I'm going and I'll get there eventually. On my own terms and at my own pace.

But then there's him. I feel his eyes on me. I see him hiding in plain sight. He watches me.  He makes me feel. It's unconventional. But it's real.

I'm sure you're wondering how a person falls in love with their stalker. So am I.

This isn't a story.

This is my life.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Archer's Voice (Sign of Love #4) by Mia Sheridan

4 stars for Archer's Voice (Sign of Love book 4) by Mia Sheridan.

Archer's Voice is a sweet lovely tale set in a nice little cottage overlooking a lake at the opposite end of a sleepy small town.

The story of an emotionally charged Bree is beatifully written and fits like a glove in this quiet peaceful town. Equally matching in its intensity is the progression in friendship and development in affection between Bree and Archer.

Though I enjoyed the story immersely, it could have done better with less coitus that emerge profusely three quarters past the book.

On a final note, I so love the title. It is perfect for the book, understandably even more so after I wrapped up my reading.

Publisher: Mia Sheridan
Publication date: 25 Jan 2014

*** Favourite Quote ***

I was glad he didn't try to come up with something encouraging to say. Sometimes an understanding silence was better than a bunch of meaningless words.

~ Archer's Voice
Mia Sheridan

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When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees.

Archer's Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.

THIS IS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL. The first three books in the series need not be read to enjoy this book.

*Blurb from FantasticFiction*

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Review: Twist Me (Twist Me #1) by Anna Zaires

1 star for Twist Me (Twist Me book 1) by Anna Zaires.

I do not enjoy reading Twist me. Perhaps I am too jaded to appreciate this New Adult dark romance which is well liked by so many others.

On a serious note, I find it hard to take pleasure in revelling a story which centers on stockholm syndrome, or otherwise known as capture-bonding whereby the hostage expresses empathy and sympathy, and have positive feelings towards his/her captor, sometimes to the point of defending and identifying with them.

Besides a disturbing theme, the plot is awfully shallow with poor background and world building. It is essentially an incredulous tale of a sweet lovely damsel and a strikingly gorgeous male protagonist that screams lust, desire and mating. There is such copious amount of graphic sexual content that I find myself skipping chunks in hope to reading something constructive.

If dark, twisted and disturbing fabrication is your thing, give it a try. But if you are after some decent romance with substance, I would say look elsewhere.

Publisher: Mozaika Publications
Publication date: 31 Jul 2014

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Kidnapped. Taken to a private island.

I never thought this could happen to me. I never imagined one chance meeting on the eve of my eighteenth birthday could change my life so completely.

Now I belong to him. To Julian. To a man who is as ruthless as he is beautiful—a man whose touch makes me burn. A man whose tenderness I find more devastating than his cruelty.

My captor is an enigma. I don’t know who he is or why he took me. There is a darkness inside him—a darkness that scares me even as it draws me in.

My name is Nora Leston, and this is my story.

*Blurb from author's website*

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