Angel (Pieces #1.5) by Jamie Canosa

We all hide from the people around us. Strangers, acquaintances, friends, even family only see the parts of ourselves we want them to see. We conceal the cracks and flaws beneath the polished surface we put on display. Because we think we need to. Because we think people won't like us if they see who we really are. Because our egos demand it.

We hide because we're proud. We hide because we're insecure.

But mostly . . . I hid because I was afraid.

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**Note: Angel is the retelling of Falling to Pieces from Caulder's perspective. You should only read this book after you have read Falling to Pieces.

Falling to Pieces was one of the purest love stories that I have ever read. It left me emotionally devastated and in tears, but I don't regret a second I spent with Jade and Kiernan. Jade and Kiernan's story was breathtakingly beautiful and equally as tragic, and Caulder, Kiernan's brother, was there to witness it all. Now we get to see the story from his perspective, and I have to say that I was even more emotionally destroyed seeing the events unfold from Cal's perspective than I was the first time. This is saying something, especially since I already knew what was coming.

 I liked Cal in the previous book, but he became real to me in this book. Cal became a truly dynamic character as his strength, his vulnerability, and his struggles were exposed. He is a character who is trying so desperately to keep it together, that it is only a matter of time before he shatters. I can't wait to see what is in store for him in the next installment in this series. It promises to be epic, and I am impatiently awaiting its release.

One More Chance (Chance #2; Rosmary Beach #8) by Abbi Glines

The unforgettable story of Grant and Harlow from Take a Chance continues in this brand-new novel in the Rosemary Beach series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines.

She was it. His one. His only. Then he made the mistake of letting her go.

After fighting his way into Harlow Manning's heart, and revealing a side of himself no one had ever seen before, Grant Carter destroyed his own heart by giving in to his greatest fears and doubts. Months later, he's stuck in a miserable routine. Work relentlessly. Beg his best friend Rush for news about Harlow. Avoid all other friends. Leave nightly voicemails for Harlow, pleading with her to come back to Rosemary Beach. Fall asleep alone. Repeat.

Miles away, on her brother's Texas ranch, Harlow can't bring herself to listen to Grant's voicemails. Though she wants to be with him, and knows he regrets letting her go, she doesn't know if she can trust him. When he discovered the truth behind her sheltered upbringing, it shattered their relationship, but the secret she carries now has far greater consequences. Can she risk giving Grant one more chance, or will the gamble ultimately destroy her?

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Grant has been one of my favorite characters in the Rosemary Beach series since Blaire pulled her gun on him in Fallen Too Far. I was so excited when Abbi announced that he was going to get his own book, and thrilled to watch his world get rocked by Harlow. Of course, just like all the other guys in this series, he had to go and screw it up, leaving me with a not so happy ending. Thank Heavens, I knew that Abbi was giving him another book, and another chance to fix things.

I have to admit, I totally checked out the teasers for this book, so I already had an idea of where the story was going before I opened it, or at least I thought I did. However, most of the surprises came not from Grant and Harlow, but other characters. I can't believe I'm going to admit this, but after reading this book, I find myself hating Nan less. Never thought that would be possible! We also get to know some previously introduced characters better - Harlow's half brother, Mase - and get introduced to some new characters - Mase's cousin, Major. I'm super exited for Mase's book, and hope that Major gets a book as well, but I digress...

This story is rather emotional, and I found myself choking up, and out right crying throughout the book. Grant and Harlow's second chance is sweet and heart wrenching, and the perfect conclusion for this couple. There are certainly plenty of harrowing moments, but I couldn't imagine a different ending. Once again, Abbi delivers another fantastic novel that kept me flying through its pages (and neglecting some household chores...oh well!).

I can't wait for what's up next in this series. Trip and Bethy's book promises to be an emotional roller coaster, and I can already tell that I am going to be an emotional wreck while reading it. You slay me, Abbi Glines! But I love you for it! 

Rogue (Real #4) by Katy Evans

The fourth story in the new adult series that began with the New York Times bestseller Real, featuring Brooke's best friend, Melanie, and the ROGUE she can't resist.

Greyson King...

My boyfriend. My friend. My protector. He's the reason I wake up every morning with a smile on my face, and the reason I fall asleep limp, worn out, and aching for his warm arms around me. When we make love, he says my name like it means something. Like I mean something.

He Lied.

His name is Greyson King, but his alias is Zero.

There's zero trace of him, he has zero past, and now I know that with him, I will have zero future.
He may leave no trace of him anywhere, but his imprint is in me, in my very soul--and I hate that a mere look at him commands the beat of my heart. The temperature of my body.

I've looked for love my entire life. I've waited for the butterflies, the rainbows...
Instead I'm in a free fall of emotions and there's no one to catch me but the one man I should be running away from. The one man I thought was my prince charming.

Except this prince charming went rogue.

Greyson will stop at nothing to make me be with him. He'll let no one stand in our way, will allow no one to threaten me, and maybe this is what scares me most of all...

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Holy $#*! Balls, Batman! I thought Remy's books were intense, but Katy ups the intensity, the passion, and the sexy in this new installment in the Real series. I found myself blushing profusely, as I sat reading this on the train. However, that didn't stop me from flying through its pages. Greyson is just as intense as Remy, so if you were a fan of his books, then you will love this one too. 

I loved how Melanie's love story turned out not to be conventional. Like so many girls, she dreamed of the prince charming who would come and sweep her off her feet, but Greyson was the exact opposite of what she thought she wanted. Greyson makes for the perfect leading man - tall, dark, damaged, with just the right amount of danger. He is a dark knight, rather than a white knight, and all the more perfect because of it. Their love story is perfectly imperfect.

This book is so full of passion that I'm surprised that it didn't burst into flames in some parts. From the very first page, I was lost to this story. I couldn't put it down, and when I finished it, I had the urge to go back to the beginning and start again. It is the perfect mix of passion, danger, angst, drama, and fairy tale. Another stellar novel from Katy.

Note: You should read the previous books in the series first to avoid spoilers!  

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Up next in the Real series...

Book #5: Ripped

Expected release date: December, 2014

Every woman wants me--except the one I sing for.

Seattle shakes with anticipation: they call it the concert of the year. They say girls are getting pregnant just thinking about my band being in town.

But when you love a girl, you don't leave her with nothing but a ring and a promise. Any man with half a brain should know.

So what did I expect my girl would do when she saw me again?

Well, for starters, she loathes our music. Particularly the song I wrote about her.

When I sing it, the stadium is in an uproar. Thousands of fans scream my name like I'm a god--but yeah, not her. Crystal clear: the girl's not happy to see me.

Black hair, black boots, a bad attitude, that's her -- Pandora Stone is a freaking man-eater and she's out for my blood.

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

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.

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Miles. Miles. Miles. Miles. That's all I have to say after reading this book. Colleen delivers another fantastic read that left me emotionally slain and a sobbing puddle. Colleen has the amazing ability to create characters that you instantly connect with, and they take you on emotional journeys full of highs and lows. Every time I pick up one of her books I think, "It can't get better than this," but she continues to put these stories out into the world that just keep getting better.

What I loved about this book was its honesty. Love is UGLY sometimes, and this book portrays that raw brokenness so beautifully. Love is a powerful thing - it can tear you down just as quickly as it can build you up. When love gets ugly, it leaves room for fear and doubt, and can leave you closed off and dead inside, which is exactly where Miles was. Miles' story is truly heartbreaking, and left me feeling shattered. I loved how his story was revealed slowly throughout the book, instead of all at once. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another piece would be revealed, and I would find myself surprised and my heart breaking just a little bit more. The devastation that I felt over Miles' story, only made me root for his and Tate's relationship even more (because I'm a sucker for a happy ending, just as much as the next girl!)

I couldn't put this book down. I was so emotionally invested in it, that I became all but obvious to my surroundings while reading it. Have some tissues handy while reading this book, as it will not just pull on your heartstrings, but damn near rip them out of your chest. I cannot say enough good things about this book. It definitely earned a book hug, and left me with a book hangover. I found myself thinking about it, and going back and rereading passages days after I had finished it. It's amazing. Read it. 

The Boys South of the Mason Dixon Line Series (Episodes #1-2) by Effy Vaughn (a.k.a. Abbi Glines)

The Sutton Boys - those three words bring a smile to the faces of females of all ages in the small town of Malroy, Alabama. Five brothers who help their momma run their farm during the work week, while seeing how many women they can sweet talk out of their panties on the weekends.

Each brother has a story and just like with all families and small towns, their stories twist together into a tangled mess that changes each of their lives forever. Because for each brother there will come a moment when he has to make a decision to keep playing or finally become a man.

One will be given a gift that every man longs for.

One will be broken.

One will be lost.

One will find out what it means to be owned.

One will make the ultimate sacrifice.

South of The Mason Dixon, the boys get naughtier, the nights get hotter and the southern charm is down right addictive.

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So, our dear Ms. Glines revealed a secret...that she wrote a series under the pen name Effy Vaughn, as a way to express herself artistically without the pressure of worrying about whether her readership would like the story. The problem is, she is a literary genius, so naturally people have fallen head over heals for this series. So she came clean and has been posting these novellas on her website for free. And holy $#*! are these novellas amazing! If you haven't checked them out, then get yourself over to Abbi's website stat and get on that. 

There are currently two installments of The Boys South of the Mason Dixon series posted: Asher and Bray (click their names for the link to their novella). These Sutton brothers are panty-dropping fun and this series is so full of drama and angst that it makes for a truly compelling read. Every novella leaves you wanting more, and Abbi leaves us with some serious cliffhangers that had me on the verge of shouting "No" and/or a string of curse words out loud (I seriously had to fight that impulse, as I was sitting on a public metro while reading them). Why she ever doubted that we wouldn't love this story I don't know. It is just as fantastic as all her other books. All I can say is that if she wrote a phone book, I would gladly pre-order it, wait for it (im)patiently, and devour it, just like I do with anything she chooses to publish. This is definitely a must read series for fans of Abbi and the New Adult genre. It will leave you hot and bothered, tied up in knots, and begging for more.