5/23/2014

Rush Too Far (Too Far #1.1, Rosemary Beach #1.1) by Abbi Glines

Rush! Rush! Rush! Rush! That’s all I really have to say about this book. I swear, Abbi Glines is a literary master. I would gladly pre-order, count down the days to, and devour a phone book if she wrote one. Rush Finlay is definitely in my top five book boyfriends and I love all the books in the Rosemary Beach series. If you haven’t read this series (shame on you!) then you need to get yourself to a bookstore ASAP.

If you were anything like me, then the whole time you were reading (and rereading) Fallen Too Far, you were dying to know what was going through Rush’s mind. What did he really think when he met Blaire for the first time? What drew him to her? What were the thoughts going through his mind during the infamous “peanut butter” scene? How did he reconcile his feelings for Blaire and his feelings of responsibility to his (still horrible) sister, Nan? So many questions! Abbi answers them all with Rush Too Far, which retells Fallen Too Far from Rush’s POV. 

This book is fantastic from start to finish, and I loved being inside of Rush’s head. I enjoyed seeing my favorite scenes from his POV, but what I loved more was getting to experience the conflict in his head as he fell for Blaire. While Rush comes off as a playboy, he is also incredibly loyal and protective of the things he loves. I found myself on an emotional roller coaster as Rush tried to come to terms with his feelings for Blaire, knowing full well that the secret he kept could destroy her world. It was just as heart wrenching as before, maybe even more so, because of Rush's internal conflict.

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this book, other than the ending is just as torturous as the first time. After finishing, I had to reread Never Too Far and Forever Too Far just to remind myself that the story has a happy ending. Rush Too Far left me with an even bigger Rush Crush and has secured his spot at the top of my book boyfriend list. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. I know I wasn't :)

Breakable (Contours of the Heart #2) by Tammara Webber

Easy is one of my favorite NA novels, and Lucas is my favorite book boyfriend, second only to Mr. Darcy (and that’s saying something!). He is everything that you could ask for in a book boyfriend: intelligent, kind, protective, artistic, passionate, with just a little bit of bad boy mixed in (motorcycle, tattoos, lip ring, long hair...what’s not to love???). He’s also just a little bit damaged. I loved watching him and Jacqueline fall in love and find their happy ending, but I was dying to know more about the mysterious guy who captured her heart (and mine).

I was so excited when I heard that Tammara was releasing Breakable, that I might have broken out into an excited happy dance, not going to lie. I counted down the days, growing more and more impatient as the release date got closer and closer. I even had to pull Easy off the shelf to read again (no arm twisting required) the week before Breakable came out to tide myself over. The best part? My pre-ordered copy showed up a day early! Needless to say, I got nothing accomplished that evening. I think I may have even ordered pizza, so I didn’t have to waste precious reading time cooking myself something to eat. I know all you book nerds out there will understand! ;)

There is always a pang of worry when I open a much anticipated book, but Tammara did not disappoint. Breakable is not just a straight retelling of Easy from Lucas’s perspective, however. We also get a lot more insight into Lucas’s life in high school after tragedy strikes his family and changes his life forever. I loved how she divided the book chapters, using “Landon” and “Lucas” to distinguish between the present and past.

I came away from this book loving Lucas even more (didn’t think that was possible!). My heart ached for him as I read about his high school years and it this book really flushes out and adds to his character. I read this book in one sitting and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. It made his happy ending that much sweeter. Breakable definitely got a big book hug at the end and left me with a book hangover, probably because I forsook sleep in order to finish it.

This series is so worth your time. I would recommend reading Easy first, and I promise that you will not be disappointed. The series does deal with some heavy stuff, but in the end, I found the story to be uplifting and it left me with a smile on my face. This is a series that I know I will come back to again and again. Five GIANT stars!

5/03/2014

Nash (Marked Men #4) by Jay Crownover

Nash Donovan’s world has been knocked on its side. As the man whom Nash has known as “uncle” lies in a hospital bed facing a grim prognosis, Nash learns a family secret that has him questioning everything. The only bright spot in the whole situation is Saint Ford, the pretty nurse that Nash can’t seem to ignore. The only problem is, Saint hates Nash.

After high school, Saint left Denver determined to get away from her mean peers and the boy with the startling eye color, whose rejection and dismissal forever left a stain on her heart. Returning to Denver after her father’s infidelity leads to her parents’ separation, Saint has learned that men cannot be trusted. Nevertheless, Saint has fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse, and has little room in her life for love. Even though she cannot forgive him for the past, Saint cannot ignore the feelings that Nash stirs in her.

Nash is determined to hold on to the one good thing in his life and prove to Saint that he isn’t the guy she seems to think that he is, and the more Saint gets to know him, the more she finds herself questioning the past. As her own insecurities threaten to keep her and Nash apart, Saint will have to decide whether or not she is willing to risk it all for love. 

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Jay Crownover delivers another amazing installment in the must read Marked Men series. I LOVE this series, and the books keep getting better and better. What makes this series so amazing is the characters that Jay has created. On the surface they are the outcasts, the ones who are easily judged and dismissed by their appearances, but underneath the surface they are real, unique, and give credence to the old saying that, "your friends are the family you choose." Every time I pick up one of these books, I can't help but think that I would love to be apart of this crazy family. The loyalty and love all of these characters have for each other is just heartwarming. Probably not a word you expect to hear when reviewing a series about tattooed and pierced guys, but it's what makes this series special. It's about so much more than just hot guys (not that I don't love each and every one of them!!)

Fans of the previous books will not be disappointed. Nash (and that dragon tattoo!! OMG!!) has joined the ranks of my book boyfriends, and Saint could definitely be one of my homegirls. There are plenty of steamy scenes, but this book also has a lot of heart. It is an emotional book with a lot of heartbreak, but it is also a book about family and love, not just for others, but for yourself as well. I cannot say enough good things about this book and the series. It deserves 5 giant and colorful stars.

The best part is, we can expect two more books in the series. Up next is Rowdy's story, which I have a feeling will be quiet entertaining. We get to meet the girl that will hopefully rock his world, Salem, at the end of Nash's book. Looks like we can expect that one sometime in October of this year (just in time for my birthday!!). Also in the works is a book for Asa. Personally, I'm hoping that he might end up with Saint's cop friend, Royal. Something tells me that would make for a VERY interesting story, but I guess we will just have to wait and see. Expected publication date TBA.

I am also super excited for Jay's new series, Welcome to the Point. The first book, Better When He's Bad, featuring a sexy, dark, bad boy named Bax will be released in June. I already have mine pre-ordered, and I have a feeling that I am going to love this new series just as much as the Marked Men series.