Until Friday Night (The Field Party #1) by Abbi Glines

To everyone who knows him, West Ashby has always been that guy: the cocky, popular, way-too-handsome-for-his-own-good football god who led Lawton High to the state championships. But while West may be Big Man on Campus on the outside, on the inside he’s battling the grief that comes with watching his father slowly die of cancer.

Two years ago, Maggie Carleton’s life fell apart when her father murdered her mother. And after she told the police what happened, she stopped speaking and hasn’t spoken since. Even the move to Lawton, Alabama, couldn’t draw Maggie back out. So she stayed quiet, keeping her sorrow and her fractured heart hidden away.

As West’s pain becomes too much to handle, he knows he needs to talk to someone about his father—so in the dark shadows of a post-game party, he opens up to the one girl who he knows won’t tell anyone else.

West expected that talking about his dad would bring some relief, or at least a flood of emotions he couldn’t control. But he never expected the quiet new girl to reply, to reveal a pain even deeper than his own—or for them to form a connection so strong that he couldn’t ever let her go…

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I both love and hate Abbi for this book. I love her for giving us such a beautiful story about loss and love. I hate her for writing a story that twisted my heart for over 300 pages and never relented. I was hooked from page one and couldn't put it down. I loved West and Maggie, and my heart broke for them over and over again. This book is much tamer than what I am used to reading from Abbi. It's definitely mature YA, but nowhere near her other NA novels. All the things that make Abbi an amazing author are still there and Until Friday Night is another prime example of her literary genius. I can't wait to see what happens next in the series.

Love (Crush #3) by Lacey Weatherford

Cami and Dylan's love story is anything but conventional, but two years later, they are still living their happily ever after and expecting their first baby. When strange things start happening around the house, at first Cami thinks she is being forgetful, but it soon becomes clear that someone is trying to send Cami and Dylan a message.

As things escalate, Cami and Dylan are forced into hiding as the police scramble to figure out who has targeted them, and leaving Dylan desperate to protect Cami at all costs. While Cami and Dylan have faced danger, heartbreak, and tragedy before, this new threat will push them and their love to new limits. 

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I must admit that I did not really think that this series needed another book, but having enjoyed the previous two books, I wasn't going to pass this one by. It turned out to be nothing like what I expected. It picks up two years after the end of Smitten, and Cami and Dylan are exactly where you would expect them to be - living in a swoon worthy fantasy bubble. Unfortunately, this bubble doesn't last and Lacey not only pops this bubble, but explodes it. While it became obvious that a threat from Cami and Dylan's past was going to resurface and cause trouble early in the book, I wasn't prepared for what actually happened. This book took a tragic twist that kept getting worse and worse, and I found myself not only heartbroken, but soul crushingly sad. Lacey definitely pushes the limits of love in this book. The result is a wholly unexpected story that will lead you on a suspenseful and emotional journey, and reaffirm your belief in the power of true love.

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Up next in the series...It's Russ's turn to find love...

Book IV: Smolder

Expected release date: October 2014

Russ knew true love existed—he’d seen it first hand—he simply didn’t believe it existed for him. And then she walked into his life. Russ didn’t know what had hit him . . . all he knew was that she made him burn.

The Redemption of Callie & Kayden (The Coincidence #2) by Jessica Sorensen

We first met Callie and Kayden in The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden and were left with a shocking cliffhanger that had me on the edge of my seat cursing that I had to wait to find out what happens next. Their story continues in The Redemption of Callie & Kayden.

Kayden awakens in the hospital after surviving his father's attack. His dark secret is out and now he facing charges for battery. Completely exposed, Kayden struggles to deal with the pain and emotions. Callie fears that he will retreat into the darkness and that she will lose him forever. However, protecting Kayden may mean telling someone about what happened to her and confronting her past head on, as well as helping Kayden face his. As Callie and Kayden work to confront their demons and heal from their pasts, they will discover that they are stronger together.

I love, love, love this series!!!! This series is full of emotion, angst, turmoil, and romance. Sorensen does not disappoint with this follow up. It had me hooked from page one and I didn't want to put it down ever. I love Callie and Kayden. They are such broken characters, but the strength that they find in each other is heart wrenchingly beautiful. This book was much more focused on Kayden and being inside of his head was gut wrenching, tragic and made me love him even more. There are still some loose ends that were not tied up and I was happy to learn that Sorensen plays to give us one more book for Callie and Kayden. No word on when it will be released yet, but I can already say that it's not soon enough! I am also looking forward to the spinoff The Destiny of Violet and Luke which is scheduled to be released in January, 2014. 

Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover

Losing Hope is the companion novel to Colleen Hoover's Hopeless (review here), one of my favorite books of all time. Hopeless is the story of Sky, a sheltered 17 year old, whose world is changed forever after an encounter with Dean Holder at the grocery store. While Sky and Dean fall for each other, the secrets of their pasts unfold, shattering everything they know. Together they will have to find the strength to confront the past and find hope again.

"I've never looked forward before. I've always looked back. I think about the past way too much and I think about what I should have done and everything I did wrong and I've never once looked forward in my life. Being with her had me thinking about tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that and next year and forever."

Losing Hope is Dean's side of the story and we get to see the events of Hopeless through his perspective, as well as learn more about Dean's life before he finds Sky. This book is not a straight retelling of Hopeless and truly is a companion novel. You NEED to read Hopeless before you read Losing Hope. Questions will be answered like where Dean went for a year and why he returned, how he felt when he saw the bracelet, why he stayed away for a month, and more.

I love Dean Holder. He is one of my favorite book boyfriends, but I fell in love with him all over again in Losing Hope. This book adds so much dimension to his character and the emotion in the story was both heartbreaking and heart swelling. As much as Dean helps Sky to heal in Hopeless, it wasn't until reading Losing Hope that I realized the depth of Dean's suffering and how much Sky helps to heal him in return. This book was perfection for me and if I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. It was everything I expected and then some. It added so much more clarity and understanding to the story and didn't once feel like fluff. Colleen Hoover is amazing and I am so grateful that she wrote it. After reading Losing Hope, I'm left with the feeling that Sky and Dean's story has come full circle and I feel hopeful, very hopeful.

"Time has completely stopped, and all I'm thinking about while we kiss is how this is what saves people. Moments like these with people like her are what make all the suffering worth it. It's moments like these that keep people looking forward and I can't believe I've let them slip by for an entire month. I know I told her that she's never really been kissed before, but until this moment I had no idea that I had never really been kissed before. Not like this. Every kiss, every moment, every moan, every touch of her hand on against my skin. She's my saving grace. My Hope. And I'm never walking away from her again."

The Game Changer by J. Sterling

The Game Changer is the continuing story of Jack and Cassie, who we first met in The Perfect Game. Jack shows up on Cassie's doorstep desperate to win her back, ready to beg if necessary. After everything that they have been through, Cassie has every right to slam the door in Jack's face, but she knows that can't live without him. Even though they are back together, their problems are far from over. Cassie finds herself suddenly thrown into the spotlight and forced to deal with the realities of dating a professional ball player - the fans, the paparazzi, the other baseball wives. As the pressure mounts, Cassie must figure out a way to deal with it or risk losing Jack all over again.

I loved The Perfect Game and when I finished it, I honestly did not feel the need for a sequel. I was happy with how the story ended and felt content. When I heard that J. Sterling was going to be releasing a sequel (thanks to fan demand), I was initially hesitant to read it. I wasn't really sure where the story could go and didn't feel like there were a whole lot of loose ends to tie up. I knew that I couldn't handle another colossal f-up by Jack, like what happens in the first book. I wouldn't be able to forgive him or Cassie if she had taken him back again. I love Jack - he is arrogant, cocky, with an ego the size of Texas - and I think a lot of people can dismiss him as a douchebag. While he is all of those things, he is also extremely passionate - about his family, about baseball, and most importantly, about Cassie. His passion is he redeeming quality for me. I enjoyed getting to read about what happened during the 6 months between when Cassie tells Jack to "prove it" and when he shows up at her door. I also loved watching him prove over and over again how he was trying to be a better man for Cassie - it was perfectly swoon worthy.

While I can't say that The Game Changer was a necessary sequel, I can say that I am happy J. Sterling listened to her fans and wrote it. I will admit that it did provide some closure to the story that I didn't realize was missing until after I read it. I am hoping for a spin off series starring Melissa and Dean, and am fairly certain that we can expect one soon based on all of the hints dropped throughout The Game Changer. I don't see anything posted on Goodreads or her website yet, so I guess for now I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed. 

Forever Too Far (Too Far #3) by Abbi Glines

"When you find your reason for living, hold onto it. Never let it go. Even if it means burning other bridges along the way."

Forever Too Far is the third installment of Blaire and Rush's story. In Fallen Too Far, we watched as Blaire and Rush's worlds collided and family secrets rocked them to the core. In Never Too Far, Blaire and Rush, both irrevocably changed, struggled to rebuild their relationship based on trust, even as family issues continued to threaten their happily-ever-after. In Forever Too Far, we get to see the fruits of their struggles. Blaire and Rush finally make it through to the other side and it is gratifying to see.

I loved this book! It was everything I could have hoped for - sigh inducing, swoon worthy, happy tears falling perfection. Just when I thought Rush couldn't get any more perfect, he proves me wrong! He is so romantic and thoughtful, and I hope that I can find a man who will take care of me the way he takes care of Blaire, and I don't mean the money and the gifts, but the utter devotion he shows towards her. I feel like he finally embraces the man he was always meant to be, the man that deep down he always was. Finally realizing that he couldn't fix all his sister's problems, realizing that she had to fix them herself, frees him and allows him to fully embrace what's truly important - Blaire and his son.

While books like this can sometimes turn out to be fluff and all filler, I do not feel this is the case with Forever Too Far. It is not as angsty as the other two books, but I don't think that was the point of this book. Instead of focusing on the drama surrounding Blaire and Rush, this story focuses on them as they focus on each other and their lives together. There are still plenty of steamy scenes, too. It provides just the right amount of closure to Blaire and Rush's story, and yet left me wanting more!

Forever Too Far also gives us a glimpse into the continuing story of Woods and Della, as well as some insights into Grant's upcoming books. I love the Rosemary world created by Abbi and all the characters. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Oh, and make sure you check out Rush's wedding song on iTunes...it's super swoon worthy! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/id659106527

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Coming soon...

Book #2 for Woods and Della - Simple Perfection - expected release October, 2013 (maybe in time for my birthday??? Please!!!)

AND...

Grant is getting his own series!!

Book #1 - This One Chance - expected release sometime this winter

Book #2 - Take a Chance - expected release date unknown (not soon enough!!)

The Forever of Ella and Micha (The Secret #2) by Jessica Sorensen

"You and I, good or bad, belong together. We make each other whole."

Ella and Micha found the love they have always been missing in each other in The Secret of Ella and Micha (review here) and their story continues in The Forever of Ella and Micha.

Ella and Micha's relationship is put to the test as Ella returns to school and Micha hits the road with his band. Distance, long absences, and Ella's fears threaten to ruin their chances at a happy ending. Ella and Micha love each other, but that might not be enough to build a future.

"Most people go into this blind. They don't know the bad side of the person they are with. But we know each other's flaws and cracks - we know what we're getting into and that makes us stronger."

This is another great one from Jessica Sorensen! What I love about this story is the way Ella and Micha love each other. Soulmates is the only way that I can think to describe them. They know each other so well and accept each other, flaws and all, unconditionally. Micha is my hero in this book. Even though he has his own issues, he is so strong for Ella, so unwavering in his love. He is her rock. Ella, despite what she thinks, is perfect for Micha too. She calls him on his BS and know what he is thinking and feeling even when he's trying to hide it. 

They are not perfect people and the each have a world of issues to overcome, but their love makes them stronger and better. This is what makes Ella and Micha's love story the perfect example of what true love should be. It's accepting, unconditional, unwavering, and something that doesn't force you to change, but inspires you to be a better version of yourself.

While there is no clifhanger at the end of the book, it is certainly open enough that there could be more. I know that I would love to know what the next chapter holds for Ella and Micha, but don't know if Jessica is planning on writing more. If not, I think that this book provides a satisfying conclusion to the story. I am really hoping that there will be more to come for Ella and Micha.

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Don't forget...

Coming soon is The Temptation of Lila and Ethan, a spin off novel to Ella and Micha's story. According to Goodreads, we should expect it in October, 2013, and I'm looking forward to this one! Check out the blurb below:

Ella's best friend Lila has always been a good girl who likes pretty clothes and preppy boys. But ever since the first day she met Micha's best friend Ethan, she hasn't been able to stop thinking about him. Girls have always flocked to Ethan--but never princesses like Lila. And until Lila came into his life he never wanted them to. From the outside the two couldn't seem more different, but somehow they have a connection deeper and more intense than anyone could have imagined. Can two people from such dramatically different worlds really have a love that lasts?

Rule (Marked Men #1) by Jay Crownover

Shaw Landon has loved Rule Archer since the day his twin brother, Remy, brought her home. While everyone assumed that Shaw and Remy were a couple, Shaw only ever wanted Rule - the one thing she couldn't have. Rule was Remy's opposite in every way - he was tattooed, pierced, had wild hair, and refused to live life on anyone's terms but his own. Rule has never paid much attention to Shaw. She was his brother's girl and he tolerated her at best, never knowing about the feelings she had for him.

All that changes on Shaw's 20th birthday when too many cocktails leads to Shaw and Rule spending the night together. Now Rule can't get Shaw out of his head and Shaw is about to get everything she ever wanted. However dark clouds hang over their relationship - Rule's dysfunctional family torn apart by grief, Shaw's own family drama and psycho ex-boyfriend, and Shaw and Rule's own abilities to trust in love. They quickly learn that their love will not be easy, that they will have to work at it everyday, but that in the end somethings are worth fighting for. 

Loved this book and can't wait for the next one. Rule is my new book boyfriend and is everything a girl could want in a bad boy. All I can say about him is "Holy Hotness!" He oozes sexiness and deliciousness. This was a great book from start to finish and had everything a good contemporary romance needs - emotional turmoil, drama, angst, great sex, and a happy ending. 

Even more exciting...it looks like we can expect at least two more books in the Marked Men series...

Jet (Marked Men #2) - Ebook release date of May 28th according to Goodreads 

and...

Rome (Marked Men #3) which it looks like we can expect sometime in early 2014

The Secret of Ella & Micha by Jessica Sorensen (The Secret #1)

The night Ella walked away from the bridge and Micha left her shattered. Now she is determined to start over and leave the girl she used to be and her past behind her. Ella cuts ties with everyone from home and sets off for college, creating a new identity. When Ella returns to her home for the summer, she fears that everything that she has been trying to suppress will resurface, especially if she sees Micha again.

Micha and Ella have been best friends since they were kids and Micha has loved her since they were 16. He never told Ella for fear of driving her away, but the lines of their friendship have long since been blurred, and he believes she feels the same for him. When she finally reappears after disappearing 8 months ago without a word, Micha is determined not to lose her again. He slowly breaks down the facade that Ella has built, as only he can - only Micha knows the truth about Ella and her past - and as the walls crumble, Ella and Micha find in each other a love worth everything.

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden. I'm not sure if a sequel to this novel is really necessary as there was no big cliffhanger at the end of this one. However I am interested to see what's next for Ella and Micha. There are certainly things from both their pasts that can still be explored, as well as the next chapter of their relationship now that they have finally gotten together. I will definitely be picking up the sequel when it is released later this month.

Coming soon in this series...

The Forever of Ella and Micha (The Secret #2) - E-book release date May 28, 2013

The Temptation of Lila and Ethan (The Secret #3) - Expected E-book release October 8, 2013. This is a spin-off of Ella and Micha's story and I'm looking forward to this one. I liked both the characters of Lila and Ethan and like the idea that they will get their own chance at love.

Twisted Perfection (Perfection #1) by Abbi Glines

Woods Kerrington knows what he wants in life. He has worked hard and paid his dues at his family's country club with the goal of eventually being promoted to VP. He knows what he wants when it comes to relationships too - nothing complicated, just a night of naughty fun. This changes when he meets Della Sloane. The two spend one passionate night together before Della walks out of his life, but Woods can't seem to forget her. Months later when Della comes back into his life, Woods finds himself questioning everything about the life he thought he wanted. A relationship with Della is anything but simple. It is complicated not only by the objections of Woods' family, but also by the dark and twisted past that haunts Della. Can Woods finally stand up for himself and claim his life for his own? Will he lose everything in the process? Can Della face the demons of her past and seize her chance at love and happiness? You will have to read and find out...I'm not telling! ;P

Fans of Abbi's Fallen series (with Rush, another of my favorite book boyfriends) will love this spin off series starring my new favorite book boyfriend, Woods Kerrington. Woods was one of my favorite characters from the Fallen series and I was excited to hear that he was going to get his own book, and I have to say that I am not disappointed! There was a brief moment when I lost faith in Woods (sorry! Hanging my head in shame!) when I thought he wasn't going to be the man I knew he was, but he came through for Della (and me) in a big way in the end. I loved watching him fall head over heels and there were plenty of steamy scenes to enjoy.

My only qualm about Twisted is that Abbi has left us with a serious cliff hanger - one that had my mouth dropping open with a gasp - and part two, Simple Perfection, doesn't come out until the Fall of 2013! Oh Abbi, why must you torture me like this??

Walking Disaster (Disaster #2) by Jamie McGuire

Walking Disaster is the companion novel to Beautiful Disaster, which tells the story of Abby Abernathy and Travis Maddox. Abby leaves her hometown for college with the hope of leaving her past behind her and starting over. Travis is a notorious bad boy known for his temper and his one night stands. When Abby meets Travis she knows that he is exactly what she has been trying to avoid, but cannot deny the draw she feels towards him. Travis can't ignore Abby either. Since the death of his mother, Travis has been on the lookout for a love worth fighting for and he thinks he may have found it in Abby. However, the two of them have so many issues between them that their relationship seems doomed from the start.

Whereas Beautiful Disaster is told from Abby's perspective, Walking Disaster is told from Travis' point of view. I liked the first book, but didn't love it and found myself cringing a lot. Travis' behavior was often over the top and borderline abusive, but it was clear from the first novel that Travis was the more complex of the two main characters. The problem was you didn't get a whole lot of Travis' backstory in the first novel. I enjoyed Walking Disaster much more than Beautiful Disaster. Travis' behavior doesn't seem so extreme and a lot of his actions are better understood when seen from his point of view. There were several events that felt brushed over and I wasn't a huge fan of the Epilogue, but this book was far better than the first one.

Every Which Way & Breaking the Wrong by Calia Read

"You should never show your emotions. Someone will steal them away, and you’ll be left with nothing, Severine...”

Severine Blake has one rule when it comes to relationships - never let anyone get too close. She is a serial dater whose relationships never last beyond a few dates and that's how she likes it. No one gets hurt that way and no one gets under her skin. She has learned from her own mother and father's relationship that love only leads to heartbreak and she is determined to remain in control.

All that changes when she meets the Sloan brothers - Thayer and Macsen. Thayer and Macsen couldn't be any more different from each other. Thayer is the star athlete who is cocky, confident, and used to getting what he wants. Macsen is studious, calm, and has a personality that instantly puts Severine at ease. She is instantly drawn to Macsen, but can't seem to get Thayer out of her mind. Thayer seems to get Severine in a way that no one else ever has, but they are too similar and find themselves in a seemingly never ending battle of wills. Adding to the mix is the mystery of the Sloan brothers' pasts and the source of the animosity between the two and their older brother, Mathias. From the minute they meet, Severine believes she has the Sloan brothers pegged. She knows which brother she needs to stay away from and which one is the "good" brother. Or so she thinks...

Despite her attraction to Thayer, Severine finds that Macsen is the balm to her wild and damaged soul and finds herself breaking her own rule. She wants to let Macsen in and hopes that he has been everything she has been looking for. However when Macsen makes an unforgivable mistake, Severine learns that she doesn't have everything figured out and what she thought she knew was completely wrong. Heartbroken and lost, she finds herself turning to Thayer for comfort. The attraction between the two of them intensifies, but Severine is hesitant to start anything and have her heart broken again. As the clash between the brothers over Severine comes to a head, she must make a decision between the two and finally learn to trust herself and her heart.

"She was discovering that it was okay to be wrong. Because when you’re wrong, you discover all the things you should’ve done."

I really liked this book. The brothers were interesting characters and even I was fooled by my initial impression of the Sloan brothers. My one qualm with the book was that it took too long for the reasons behind the character's baggage to come out. It was clear from the beginning that they were all damaged, but it took a little to long for the reasons behind this damage to come out and I found myself somewhat frustrated. This left me unsympathetic towards the characters at times because I didn't have the necessary background to understand their motives. I found this to be particularly true with Severine at several points throughout the story and the constant indecision had me feel like I was watching a tennis match. However when more came out about the relationship Severine had with her parents (and they with each other), her behavior made more sense to me and I was able to better relation and sympathize with her. I do wish more details about the Sloan brothers' history had been revealed. At times their story(ies) felt brushed over, like they were being saved for later, and I am hoping that the subsequent novels give us a much fuller picture. Nevertheless, Every Which Way was a solid 3 star read for me.

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"If everyone knew the truth, no one would really ask for love. But when it drops into your life, you can only hope that you have enough strength to hang on."

Emilia Wentworth will do anything to avenge her sister, including creating a burn list of all the people who wronged her family and her sister and seeking revenge for their transgressions. Over the past 3 years, Emilia has worked her way through the list and now there is only one name left, the worst of the transgressors - Macsen Sloan. Determined to make him pay, Emilia transfers to the same college as Macsen and begins plotting how to make him pay. But the more and more Emilia gets to know Macsen, the more she begins to doubt whether he is truly capable of hurting her sister in the way that he is accused. She even finds herself falling for him. Macsen, completely unaware of Emilia's intentions, finds himself opening up to Emilia in a way that he never has before. When the truth is finally revealed, Emilia and Macsen find their worlds turned upside down and their relationship teetering on the point of destruction. In order to save their relationship, both will need to move past the lies and the betrayal and embrace the truth...and each other.

While I liked Every Which Way, I LOVED Breaking the Wrong! It was by far the better book of the two. I love Macsen and there were plenty of steamy scenes in this book. The characters were much better developed in this book and it was full of plot twists and turns, most of which I did not see coming. This was definitely a page turner for me and I didn't want to stop until I reached the end, only to find myself wanting to start over and read it again. Breaking the Wrong gets 4 stars from me!

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If you want more Sloan Brothers...

Make sure to check out Calia Read's blog after you have finished Breaking the Wrong for the Epilogue. Warning - it does contain some potential spoilers, so do not read it before finishing Breaking the Wrong!

Book three: Ruin You Completely is scheduled to be released this summer and will focus on Mathias, the most damaged of the three Sloan brothers. According to Read's blog, we can also expect a fourth book to focus on Thayer's story sometime in late 2013.

I, of course, will be picking these bad boys (pun intended) up as soon as they are released! ;)

Never Too Far (Too Far #2) by Abbi Glines

Never Too Far picks up about a month after Blaire has fled Rosemary after learning the dark family secret that Rush hid from her. Now Blaire is the one with a secret, a secret that has once again turned her world upside down. Now Blaire finds herself returning to Rosemary, once again placing her trust in Rush, the man she is desperately in love with, but unable to forgive.

Rush is devastated by Blaire's departure and when she returns he is desperate to prove his love for her and earn her trust, even it if means turning his back on his own family. Proving this turns out to be harder than Rush anticipates and the couple face obstacles that will test their relationship's breaking point. Is Blaire strong enough to trust and not run? Can Rush prove that he is worthy of trust? Or will the same forces that drove them apart before win again?

I only have one word for this book - Rush! Rush! Rush! Rush! Thank you Abbi for giving us a glimpse into Rush's head. I loved seeing things through his eyes and it made me love him for more than just his hot body (which doesn't hurt either). If I had to chose one word to describe Rush it would be fierce. Rush is fierce - physically and emotionally. He is fiercely passionate, loves fiercely, and is fiercely protective of what is his, and I love him for it, even if it does turn him into a bit of a hot head sometimes. He absolutely made this book for me. I read this book in about 4 hours. I got so involved in the story that when I paused to look at the clock it was 12:30 am, but at that point I was so close to the end that I had to finish. There was no way I was putting the book down.

I love, love, loved it! I am so looking forward to reading the spin off books when they come out and was even more thrilled to learn today that as a reward for her faithful readers, Abbi is going to be releasing a third book for Rush and Blaire, probably sometime towards the end of summer! I loved this book so much that I think it warrants another reading right away!

From Ashes by Molly McAdams

Cassidy Jameson's life changed forever on her 6th birthday when her father suddenly dies from a heart attack. Not only did she lose her father, but she lost her mother as well as she drowned her sorrow in alcohol. After her mother remarries, Cassidy becomes the victim of daily physical abuse at the hands of both her drunken stepfather and mother. Through it all, Tyler Bradley has been Cassi's rock and best friend. He was the one who patched Cassi up, the one who kept her secret. He was the only one that Cassi could count on and trusted. When Tyler leaves to attend college in Texas, there is no way that he is leaving Cassi behind, and the two of them head to Texas where they will be living with Tyler's cousin, Gage Carson.

Gage Carson was not what Cassi expected, knowing that his family owned a ranch in Texas. She had been expecting a Stetson-wearing cowboy, but she wasn't expecting the instant and electric connection between herself and Gage from the moment they met. Gage is instantly drawn to Cassi and desires nothing more than to make her his. The problem is that Tyler has staked a claim. From the outside it would appear that Cassi and Tyler are a couple, but Cassi has never felt that way about him. For over a year, Cassidy and Gage dance around their feeling for each other, as Tyler does everything in their power to keep them apart.

When Cassi and Gage do get together, their honeymoon phase doesn't last long. When an accident and a family tragedy sends Cassi running back to Tyler and California, it looks like it might mean the end for Cassi and Gage's relationship. Cassidy will have to face down the down the demons of her past if she ever hopes to have any type of future with Gage. The question is...will Gage be waiting for her when she returns?

I have to admit that I was hesitant to pick up this book after experiencing complete and utter emotional turmoil at the hands of Molly after reading Taking Chances. I just wasn't sure I could survive another book like that! While From Ashes was not emotionally devastating like Taking Chances, it was still an emotional roller coaster. Molly McAdams is a master at creating love triangles and she has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary romance writers. Although this triangle turned into an unnecessary (at least in my opinion) rectangle at one point, I was happy with how the story ended.

From Ashes does deal with some series issues, including domestic violence, so if you are not into that, don't pick this book up. I find it interesting that most of the contemporary romance novels I pick up lately deal with such heavy issues - rape, abuse, cutting, suicide, alcoholism. However, I find myself continually drawn to these characters that are so tragically broken and so beautifully redeemed by love. I'm not sure why these stories appeal to me so much, and it goes deeper than the guy's god-like perfection. Perhaps it's the light driving out the dark? Or maybe it's how truly loving someone and letting yourself be truly loved by someone makes you vulnerable, and through that vulnerability allows you to trust someone else with every flaw, every imperfection, everything that you keep hidden from the world, and accept the beauty of it all. I'm not sure, but as long as authors like Molly McAdams write books like From Ashes, I'll keep reading them (and probably re-reading them).     

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden (The Coincidence #1) by Jessica Sorensen

"In the existence of our lives, there is a single coincidence that brings us together and for a moment, our hearts beat as one."

Callie's world is shattered on the day of her twelfth birthday and she has spent the last 6 years trying to hold it together and become invisible. Kayden might appear to live the perfect life, but looks are deceiving and suffering in silence and shutting down are the only ways he knows how to survive.

Callie and Kayden have gone to school with each other for years, but Kayden never really paid attention to her. On the night of Kayden's graduation party, Callie happens to be in the right place at the right time and saves Kayden's life. She then disappears off to college, hoping for a new start, but Kayden cannot stop thinking about her. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he is determined to get to know the girl that saved his life. As Callie and Kayden get closer, they realize that they both are hiding dark secrets. The pull that Callie and Kayden feel for each other is undeniable and both must learn to trust and open up again if they are ever going to save each other.

I originally came across this book as a recommendation on Goodreads and after my good friend Erlynn over at Books Hug Back insisted that I read it without delay, I decided to pick it up. I loved it! Be prepared for some heavy subject matter if you pick it up. The characters are dealing with some pretty heavy stuff including rape and child abuse, but they are raw and real. I enjoyed the author's style and liked how the perspective of the story switched back and forth between Callie and Kayden.

Fair warning there is a fantastically tortuous cliff hanger that left me with my mouth hanging open, tightly gripping my iPad, and gasping with shock. There appear to be two more books planned for this series with unclear publication dates - sometime in 2013. It is going to be tortuous to wait for the next book as I really want to know what happens next, but such is the plight of a bookworm. If you don't handle cliff hangers well, you may want to wait until the whole series is out, but this is definitely one you do not want to miss. If the end result is anything other than Callie and Kayden riding off happily into the sunset however, I might find myself a disappointed (and angry) reader...just saying ;)

Taking Chances by Molly McAdams

Harper has grown up with a distant (and in my opinion, emotionally neglectful) Marine father, surrounded by the jarheads of her father's unit. Having finally turned 18, Harper escapes across country to San Diego State University determined to start a new life for herself. Her new roommate, Bree, quickly takes her under her wing and introduces her the college life and her family.

Harper quickly finds herself falling for two guys and smack in the middle of a love triangle. Brandon is tattooed, ridiculously muscled and handsome, a fighter in the Underground, and incredibly sweet and gentle with Harper. Chase, Bree's brother, is a hot, tattooed artist with a reputation for going through girls like socks. Even though she knows he's wrong for her, Chase gets under her skin like no one else can and is determined to become a better man in order to be worthy of Harper. Harper finds herself torn - she knows she loves Brandon and wants to spend the rest of her life with him, but she just can't seem to forget about Chase. One weekend of wild passion will have far reaching consequences for both Harper and the men she loves.

There is a sequel to this book, Stealing Harper, scheduled for release in the Spring/Summer of 2013. It appears to be the same story told from Chase's point of view, and as I am a firm proponent of Team Chase I will definitely be picking it up when it is finally released.

I wanted to love this book so much! I desperately wanted to love this book. To finish it and sigh with utter contentment that everything worked out how I wanted it to. This did not happen and it kind of pissed me off. I did enjoy the book and my own prejudices are probably preventing me from giving it a 4 star rating as opposed to a 3 star rating, but I can't get past how the book ended. It was totally not what I had pictured happening. I'm sure there will be readers out there that will disagree with me, but to each her own!

Okay, the real ranting will begin now. Fair warning...there will be spoilers. Stop reading now if you don't want to spoil anything. Don't say I didn't warn you!!

Fallen Too Far (Too Far #1) by Abbi Glines

Nineteen year old Blaire has no where else to go. Her mother has just died of cancer and she is forced to sell her home and everything else to pay the medical bills. She has spent the last 3 years taking care of her mother and she needs a place to crash until she can get a job and get back on her feet. The last person she wants to go to is her father, who abandoned her family after the death of her twin sister in a car wreck in which he was the driver. Blaire's father is married again and has himself a new family. When Blaire pulls up to the house she knows instantly that she will not fit into this family. Adding further insult to injury, Blaire discovers that her father isn't event there. He has escaped to Paris with his new wife.

The house is owned by her 24 year old step-brother, Rush Finlay. Rush, the only son of a famous rock star, is used to getting his way with everything. He life is an endless party and stream of girls, and he is sexy as hell. It is clear from the beginning that he does not want Blaire there. He takes pity on her and offers her the small room located under the stairs (very Harry Potter) for a month while she finds a job and saves enough money to get a place of her own. Despite his warnings and the warnings of others that Blaire should steer clear of Rush, she finds herself drawn to him, and he to her. Rush has a secret though, a family secret that everyone seems to be in on except Blaire. A secret that has the potential to shake Blaire's world to it's core, a secret he can't bare to share with her, because both of them have already fallen too far.

Loved this book. Rush has all the elements of a damaged bad boy and Blaire is your perfect innocent girl next door, and together they are hot! This book is quite steamy at times and definitely left me wanting more! The sequel Never Too Far unfortunately does not get released until March 2013, so I will have to wait to find out what happens next. BOO!! I am hoping that we get to learn more about Rush's history in the next book as his character was never really fleshed out. I am hoping that he is more than just the philandering playboy. There were definitely glimpses of a more tortured soul and I am hoping to learn more about him in the sequel. My only complaint about this book is that I now have to wait on pins and needles for the next one.

Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

Layken Cohen's life has changed dramatically in the last 6 months. Her father died unexpectedly and now her mother, younger brother Kel and Layken have packed up their home, left Texas behind, and moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan. Just when all hope seems lost, Layken meets Will Cooper. Will is her 21-year-old, attractive neighbor with a passion for slam poetry. Layken and Will form an intense emotional connection and Layken finds herself falling for Will hard, even after only knowing him a few days.

Their relationship takes an unexpected turn when Layken discovers that Will is in fact her new poetry teacher. Will, who is caring for his younger brother, Caulder, after the death of their parents cannot afford to jeopardize his job, which means that Layken and he have to break it off. Now the two are left with daily awkward exchanges and broken hearts. Layken's world is further rocked when the real reason why her family moved to Michigan is revealed. The only thing that Layken seems to know for real is that she loves Will, but will they ever be able to overcome all of the obstacles life has placed in their way?

Point of Retreat is the continuing story of Layken and Will, and told from Will's perspective this time. Having overcome enough of the obstacles to their relationship to be together, Layken and Will soon find that love may not be enough to get them through. When Will's ex-girlfriend reemerges after 3 years, Layken is left questioning the very foundations of their relationship. Will must now figure out a way to prove to Layken that their love is real, that "sometimes two people have to fall apart to realize how much they need to fall back together."

I loved this series! Loved, loved, loved it! I have to admit when it was revealed that Will has in fact Layken's teacher I thought that was it, that there was no way I was going to make it through this book. As a teacher, the idea of anything but a professional relationship between student and teacher just grosses me out. But I am also OCD when it comes to finishing a book and I'm glad that I was able to work past that little issue, because I really enjoyed this series. The characters are fantastic and create a wonderfully imperfect family, proving yet again that blood does not always a family make and that the human heart is stronger than it may appear.

I was slightly annoyed with Layken in Point of Retreat and felt that most of her hang ups where the result of her own insecurities and not Will's actions, but I also really loved watching Will find ways to prove her wrong. I enjoyed the poetry element of the book, as I myself am a big fan of slam poetry, although it loses some of its essence when read and not seen. It would be a really cool element to include should these books ever be made into a movie. This series is a quick read and full of plenty of angst, which will appeal to romantics and YA lovers. Solid 4 stars for me! 

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Seventeen-year-old Sky has led a sheltered life - home schooled, no TV, no cellphone, no internet. Her best friend, Six, lives across the street and has a horrible reputation. A reputation that has given Sky a reputation simply through association, and not based entirely in fact. Now Sky is getting ready to attend public school for senior year, just as Six is heading off to Europe via an exchange program. High school turns out to be just as horrible as Sky predicts and she is forced to endure her classmates rather unimaginative slurs and attempts to bring her down. Her only solace is Breckin, a fellow outcast.

Sky's life takes a most unexpected turn after a simple trip to the grocery store where she meets Dean Holder, a boy with a reputation worse than hers. She finds herself drawn to him and feeling things that no one else has ever made her feel. Sky knows that Holder is no good and that she should stay away from him, but he seems determined to know everything about her. He feels dangerous to Sky and his mood swings leave her reeling. What she doesn't know is that Holder is tied to a past that she never realized she had, and being with Holder drags her back into it. Meeting Holder changes every single facet of Sky's life and she is left questioning who she is, where she comes from, and what the future holds for her.

This book was heart-achingly good and Dean Holder is my new literary hero. Readers be warned - this book deals with some heavy stuff, including sexual abuse. The twists in this story are amazing and Colleen Hoover weaved this story together beautifully. It was in no way predictable for me. Usually I can figure out where stories like this are headed fairly quickly, but with Hopeless I often found myself not realizing a twist until it was just about to happen. Sky and Holder are beautifully flawed and their love story made my heart swell over and over while my eyes fill with tears. They are two damaged souls who save each other. This is a solid 5 star read for me, a rating that I do not dish out often. I know that this book will become a re-read (several times over) for me. Fantastic book!

Update 1/19/13:

Just when I thought I couldn't be any more in love with Holder I come across this bonus scene told from his point of view. Check it out here. God I love him!

Losing It by Cora Carmack

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has her V card (her words, not mine). She is determined to lose her virginity before graduation and decides that the best thing to do is to just get it over with - a one night stand. Bliss sets off with her best friend to a local college bar where she meets Garrick Taylor, a gorgeous guy with a British accent, and decides that he is the one. Bliss makes it back to her apartment with Garrick and just when they are about to have sex, she panics and leaves him naked in her bed. Bliss is determined to forget the whole awful experience until she walks into her theater class and meets her new professor - the man she left naked in her bed the night before. Garrick and Bliss are draw to each other, but their relationship is not without complications.

This is a sweet story and has all the elements of a good romance novel - a hot guy, forbidden love, a love triangle, etc. The only thing that was really lacking for me in this story was some more angst. There just wasn't enough drama, mystery, or angst to really make me pine for the characters. It is a good distraction read and at just over 200 pages it is the perfect book to read while wasting an afternoon. It gets 3 stars from me.