Bookish Bluebird: 5 stars

Showing posts with label 5 stars. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Dual Review: THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN + A CROWN OF WISHES

I am so far behind the Roshani Chokshi bandwagon but I am determined to catch up. I picked up book one back in 2016 when it first streaked across my book socials. Then being the collector that I am, of course I picked up book two despite having not read the first book yet. I mean, would you LOOK at these covers? Gorgeous! Stunning! *insert other synonyms of Beautiful* I had a terrible habit of getting books of a series without knowing whether I would like it or not. I have since then (6 hard years later) gained better control. In the case of The Star-Touched Queen duology, what you see is exactly what you get! Magic in words and imagery. I was swept away by the poetic narrative and mystical setting from the first few chapters.

Review: RACHEL, OUT OF OFFICE by Christina Hovland

Title: Rachel, Out of Office

Author: Christina Hovland

Mommy Wars #1
Publisher: Entangled Amara
Publication Date: January 25, 2021

Single mom Rachel Gibson seriously needs a break. Between an absent ex-husband, rowdy twin boys, and running her own work-from-home business, her candle isn't just burning at both ends, it's a full-blown puddle of wax. She's the go-to girl for other entrepreneurs, handling all the tasks they dread. Social media posts? She's got it. Website updates? She's on it. Light bookkeeping? She loves it.

Thank goodness Rachel's about to get a reprieve, as her former in-laws plan to whisk her boys away for a summer of fun at the family lake house. But when her ex backs out at the last minute, she finds herself in a pickle. Even though she's drowning in to-dos, she's horrible at saying no—especially when it comes to providing some stability for her kids.

Once Rachel arrives at the lake house, she struggles to keep up with work and balance the demands of family, all the while fending off pesky new feelings for her ex-brother-in-law. Which makers her wonder... is falling for her ex-husband's brother just one more messy complication added to the dumpster fire of her life? Or is anything possible when she's out of office...?

"Limits don't mean you're weak... They actually mean you're strong enough to

recognize the importance of the other things in your life."

Where do I start?? I loved this book very much! It's one of my favourite reads of 2021. Rachel, Out of Office featured many of my favourite tropes including single parent, second chances, close proximity and the biggie "you picked the right sibling this time" (does this count as a trope? anywho..). More so than the romance which was so darn sweet, I greatly enjoyed and related to Rachel's character development. You go, Rachel! I'm rooting for all the people struggling to balance work and family (and self-care). We are in the same boat.

Dual Review: THE WORD IS MURDER + THE WHISPER MAN

I keep telling myself I want to read more Mystery/Thriller books that don't include the In Death series. I've read three last year, and that's including these two up for review. 2021 will be the year I try to incorporate more into my reading! I have quite the little to-be-read collection piling up. Both Anthony Horowitz and Alex North were new authors to me. One blew my socks off and the other left me conflicted. It goes to show how much my mood and impressions of a character can greatly affect my enjoyment of a story. Both books have this minimalist cover-look though that I absolutely am a fan of.

Review: THE REALITY OF EVERYTHING by Rebecca Yarros

Title: The Reality of Everything

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Flight & Glory #5 (Standalone)

Two years after the man she loved was killed in Afghanistan, Morgan Bartley is trying to put the pieces of her life back together. The reno on her dilapidated beach house in the Outer Banks might be just the distraction she needs to keep her debilitating anxiety attacks at bay and begin to heal her heart... if she can ignore the ridiculously handsome guy next door.

At twenty-eight, single dad Jackson Montgomery's life revolves around his five-year-old daughter and his job as a search-and-rescue pilot for the coast guard. He's no stranger to saving a damsel in distress, and though his gorgeous new neighbor is clearly in distress, she's no damsel. She's stubborn as hell with walls a mile thick, and the dog tags hanging from her rearview mirror give him a pretty good clue as to why.

It doesn't matter that their attraction is undeniable—she swore she'd never fall for another pilot, let alone a military man. There are some wounds time can't heal, and some fears too consuming to conquer.

She's a barely breathing heartbreak on the edge of recovery. He's a crash waiting to happen. Together they could have it all... if they can endure the coming storm.

"I can't even suggest that it will be easy, because that's a huge lie, but I swear

that I will always make the shitty lows pale in comparison the to incredible highs."

Wow. Just. Wow. I actually wasn't aware that this was book five of a series. Luckily, it can be read as a standalone and still be fully enjoyed without any confusion. Evidence #1: I LOVED IT. The Reality of Everything was so raw and heart breaking, yet so beautifully hopeful. I'm eager to jump into the first four books now to learn more about the other couples' backstories. I'm desperately wishing that two side characters will receive their own HEA too (Please, Rebecca Yarros hear my prayer). Not only did I love Morgan and Jackson—and Fin, I also loved the entire Cape Hatteras friendship circle. The Reality of Everything shines a light on grief, loss and healing. Witnessing Morgan's pain and struggles felt like being stabbed in the heart, but it made the moments of genuine joy that much sweeter.

Review: ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID by Cindi Madsen

Title: Always a Bridesmaid

Author: Cindi Madsen

Violet Abrams may have have been a bridesmaid no less than seven times, but her wedding day was near—she could feel it. Until her longtime boyfriend left her for someone else. That's just fine—she has her photography and a new project redesigning her sister's bakery to keep her happy and fulfilled. Fast-forward to the day of his wedding, though, when Violet might have accidentally, totally not on purpose, started a fire. Worst day ever.

Firefighter Ford Maguire thought he'd seen it all. Until he's called out because someone tried to set the local bakery on fire... with a wedding magazine? The little arsonist might be the cutest woman he's ever seen, but he's too career-focused to consider something serious. Still, Violet seems like a great person to help him navigate his upcoming "man of honor" duties in his best friend's wedding.

Pretty soon, not only is Violet giving him lessons on all things weddings, she's helping him train his latest rescue-dog recruit puppies and weaving her way seamlessly into his lone-wold lifestyle. But forever is the last thin on Ford's mind, and if there's one thing a perpetual bridesmaid knows, it's the importance of a happily ever after.

"Life's too short. The longer you take to start living it,

the more regrets you'll end up with."

Always a Bridesmaid was my first Cindi Madsen book and I am now a BIG fan! This novel brought on all the feels and reignited my love for small town romances. In short, I absolutely loved this fun and heart-warming read. This book skyrocketed up to the top of my favorite reads of 2020. I have the paperback on order and there is a reread in the very near future for me. I need to sticky note all my favorite scenes after all, and there were many. Always a Bridesmaid was sweet. It was adorable, and it was sexy. My heart fluttered and ached as Violet and Ford's relationship grew.

Dual Review: ROCK HARD + CHERISH HARD

My first two Nalini Singh books! I have lovely book pushing friends who have been trying to get me on this fanwagon for the longest time it seems (my apologies, I'm such a snail). I really need to start one of her paranormal books but the series count intimidates me ahhhhh. I'm glad I could familiarize myself with her writing style via contemporary romance first. Did I say that I dig it yet? BECAUSE I REALLY DIG IT. When I look at the covers, I assumed they were a part of the same series, like book one and book two. Nope. I rarely read out of order but it didn't bring down my enjoyment level at all. I look forward to reading the other books in these contemporary series heheh.

Review: JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta

Title: Jellicoe Road

Author: Melina Marchetta

At age eleven, Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother. At fourteen, she ran away from boarding school, only to be tracked down and brought back by a mysterious stranger. Now seventeen, Taylor's the reluctant leader of her school's underground community, whose annual territory war with the Townies and visiting Cadets has just begun. This year, though, the Cadets are led by Jonah Griggs, and Taylor can't avoid his intense gaze for long. To make matters worse, Hannah, the one adult Taylor trusts, has disappeared. But if Taylor can piece together the clues Hannah left behind, the truth she uncovers might not just settle her past, but also change her future.

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"Some people say their prayers at night. I don't. What I say is always the same.

My name is Taylor Markham. I live on the Jellicoe Road."

I can honestly say I did not expect such an intricate and beautifully written story. I have book pals who've raved about this author and this book. Of course they recommended it to me and in typical reader fashion, I put it on the back burner with my Mt. TBR *smh*. I finally see why this book is often referenced and brought up again and again on my book feeds. There is a reason Jellicoe Road won an award, people!!

Dual Review: SLOW BURN + FALLING HARD

2019 Confession: I had this review drafted and incomplete for about 3 years [shame on meee]... I've left everything as is and just added a bit to my FH review after a reread. Finally I can let it out into the blogosphere!

~*~

I started these books the last week of winter term—before final exams. Nothing like some sweet and sexy romance books from one of my all-time favorite authors to get my heart thumping and raring to go for my exams right? Hahahah. Not. I didn't know what I was thinking, but even with the need to study, I wasn't able to stop reading. I couldn't fight the temptation!! It may ~~or may not~~ have been the covers calling out to me as I skimmed through my library putting together a summer tbr. What can I say, half naked firefighter covers are a weakness of mine. From the first chapter, I was on a PC [Pamela Clare] high and zoomed through Slow Burn and Falling Hard as if my life depended on it!

Review: THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller

Title: The Song of Achilles

Author: Madeline Miller
Standalone
Publisher: Ecco

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful—irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath.

They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

"I will never leave him. It will be this, always, for as long as he will let me."

I have never read Homer's Iliad or The Odyssey, but not because I didn't want to. It's been on my to-be-read list for eons now. Any Greek mythology knowledge I have comes from movies like '300', 'Percy Jackson' and 'Hercules' (*sings* Who put the 'Glad' in 'Gladiator'? Herc-u-les!). Basically, I know very little! And despite having an interest in mythology and historical fiction, I've read very few of the genre. This book was recommended to me by my trusty Fizzle Reads book pushers, and I'm kicking myself for not diving right in. The Song of Achilles was both lyrical and enchanting—I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

Review: BLURRED LINES by Lauren Layne

Title: Blurred Lines

Author: Lauren Layne
Love Unexpectedly #1
Publisher: Loveswept

Publication Date: August 25, 2015

When Parker Blanton meets Ben Olsen during her freshman year of college, the connection is immediate—and platonic. Six years later, they're still best friends, sharing an apartment in Portland's trendy Northwest District as they happily settle into adult life. But when Parker's boyfriend dumps her out of the blue, she starts to wonder about Ben's no-strings-attached approach to dating. The trouble is, even with Ben as her wingman, Parker can't seem to get the hang of casual sex—until she tries it with him.

The arrangement works perfectly . . . at first. The sex is mind-blowing, and their friendship remains as solid as ever, without any of the usual messy romantic entanglements. But when Parker's ex decides he wants her back, Ben is shocked by a fierce stab of possessiveness. And when Ben starts seeing a girl from work, Parker finds herself plagued by unfamiliar jealousy. With their friendship on the rocks for the first time, Parker and Ben face an alarming truth: Maybe they can't go back. And maybe, deep down, they never want to.

"Guys and girls can't be just friends. Or not best friends, anyway. Shit gets too complicated."

I love friends to lovers books and this one by Lauren Layne was so good! I loved Parker. I loved Ben. Their dynamic was stellar. I loved that even though Ben enjoys going out and meeting women, he'll cancel all plans to be there for his best friend when he thought she needed him. They had me laughing at their silliness. I cried. When you know how perfect two characters are together, the feels are overwhelming

Dual Review: SEMPRE + SEMPRE:REDEMPTION

Confession: it took me a while to figure out what to call this post. I didn't think I should call it a series review since there are other books/novellas in the series (like Made—Corrado's story [which I la-la-la-loved dearly]). Most of my reviews are quite short too, so calling these 'mini reviews' didn't seem right either hah. So, I'm taking a page out of Siiri's genius book and doing a dual review! Warning: Be prepared for a lot of nonsensical flailing and gushing because I love these books so much. They were truly my perfect blend of drama and romance, with a hint of action and suspense!

Review: ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes

Title: Me Before You

Author: Jojo Moyes
Me Before You #1
Publisher: Penguin Books

Publication Date: July 30, 2013

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than her tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex-Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair-bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel--and he is not interested in exploring a new one.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, Lou sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn't have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?

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"It has been the best six months of my entire life."

I am warning you, dear reader, that this review may contain spoilers. If like myself, you already have a sense of how this story will go (as I did after reading the synopsis of the sequel), or if you've read the book then go forth and read my jumbled emotions! Either way, this was an unforgettable read that everyone should give a chance. It's your choice whether to like it or not, of course.

Review: RIDE STEADY by Kristen Ashley

Title: Ride Steady

Author: Kristen Ashley
Chaos #3
Publisher: Forever

Publication Date: June 30, 2015

The ride of her life...

Once upon a time, Carissa Teodoro believed in happy endings. Money, marriage, motherhood: everything came easy—until she woke up to the ugly truth about her Prince Charming. Now a struggling, single mom and stranded by a flat tire, Carissa's pondering her mistakes when a vaguely familiar knight rides to her rescue on a ton of horsepower.

Climb on and hold tight...

In high school, Carson Steele was a bad boy loner who put Carissa on a pedestal where she stayed far beyond his reach. Today, he's the hard-bodied biker known only as Joker, and from the way Carissa's acting, it's clear she's falling fast. While catching her is irresistible, knowing what to do with her is a different story. A good girl like Carissa is the least likely fit with the Chaos Motorcycle Club. Too bad holding back is so damn hard. Now, as Joker's secrets are revealed and an outside threat endangers the club, Joker must decided whether to ride steady with Carissa—or ride away forever...

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"It was always you. Only you.

I was into you back then Carissa, in a big fuckin' way... And that hasn't changed."

Second chance romance at its best. Ride Steady effectively shot me in the heart and revived my 'must-read-all-KA-books' mentality after a very long KA hiatus. Joker and Carissa's story had everything I love in contemporary romance: family emphasis, endearing friendships, heart-warming romance, sexiness, an alpha male that's alpha in all the right ways, and a heroine that I wholeheartedly rooted for. I thought Shy was my number one biker boyfriend in the Chaos series, but Joker stole my heart and had me swooning to no end. [Side ramble: What is with all these hot biker names? Like Carson "Joker" Steele...*melts*]

Review: LONG WAY DOWN by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Title: Long Way Down

Authors: Krista & Becca Ritchie

With a seven-year age difference, Ryke & Daisy have faced an uphill battle in the eyes of the world and their families. Known as the most adventurous, fast-paced couple—their next step has always been elusive to the rabid media.

Behind the scenes, heartbreaking trouble continues to test Ryke & Daisy's resilience and shape their future.

They promise:

To never slow down.
To never compromise who they are.
To never abandon their love for each other.

But persevering their happiness also means adding more risks. One that Connor Cobalt wouldn't even take. As professional free-solo climber, Ryke is no stranger to risk, but this next step with Daisy wagers more than just his health.

With their lives on the line, Ryke & Daisy head towards the vast, wild unknown in this epic final conclusion to the Addicted series.

**Author's Note**

It's possible to only read the Calloway Sisters spin-off series without reading the Addicted series, but you MUST read Fuel the Fire (Calloway Sisters #3) before reading Long Way Down (Calloway Sisters #4). It's highly recommended to read the books in the recommended reading order, which is in tangent with the Addicted series.

*Jae's Note*

READ IT ALL I SAY.

"Wherever you go, I'll go. I'll be here no matter what..."

How do I review a book that essentially ends an era? One that touched me to the core? And how do I move on from that book when it left me feeling blessed for the life I live and proud of the person I've become? I just can't without shedding more tears in the process. But I'll do my best to explain why Long Way Down is my new favorite book, and why you should start reading the Addicted series [pronto] if you aren't already. I'm just going to bare my soul to you in what I hope will be a short spoiler-free review. I apologize in advance should it make no sense at all.

Review: INTO THE STILL BLUE by Veronica Rossi

Title: Into the Still Blue

Author: Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky #3
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: January 28, 2014

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do—and they are just as determined to stay together.

Within the confines of a cave they're using as makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survive—he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her earth-shattering Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

"There is no way forward that isn't through pain."

You know how you go into denial and refuse to acknowledge the fact that there is no other book, that this is actually the end, when you finish a series you loved so dearly? This was me after reading Into the Still Blue. It was an amazing conclusion to a fantastic series. I cried. I swooned. I cheered. There wasn't a single emotion I didn't feel. Characters I had disliked at the beginning eventually became my new faves. Perry, Aria and Roar (aka my golden trio) will forever hold the top rankings in this favorites list though. Eternally grateful to Siiri for pushing this series on me!

Review: FUEL THE FIRE by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Title: Fuel The Fire

Authors: Krista & Becca Ritchie

Protect your family. At all costs.

It'd take the impossible to hurt Connor Cobalt, even for a moment.

Protect your family. At all costs.

At twenty-six, his narcissistic tendencies have made room for the people he loves.

Protect your family. At all costs.

And he loves Rose. But when his love is threatened, when his greatest dreams with her are compromised—what is the cost then?

Protect your family. At all costs.
Love will guide his choices.
For the first time in his life.

"Love. It meant nothing to him. Now it's guiding his choices."

The Addicted series is my all-time favorite NA contemporary romance series and it continues to get better and better with each book. Fuel the Fire touched on real-life matters like mental illness, misogyny, sexuality, society's demand for labels. Throughout the series, there's an underlying theme of feminism and the media's portrayal of women. But in Fuel the Fire, the media plays a much greater role, as does the emotional damage it causes. This book also highlights the lengths a parent will go for their child, a person for their loved one. For every new Addicted novel review I write, I feel like I'm just repeating myself. But I can't stress it enough how emotional, how inspiring and how relevant I find this series to be. These are more than just romance novels. If I had to sum up Fuel the Fire in one word, it was extraordinary. To be honest though, even that word doesn't do it justice.

Review: BANG by E.K. Blair

Title: Bang

Author: E.K. Blair

They say when you take revenge against another you lose a part of your innocence.
But I'm not innocent.
I haven't been for a very long time.
My innocence was stolen from me. Taken was the life I was suppose to have. The soul I was born with. The ruby heart embedded in a life full of hopes and dreams.

Gone.
Vanished.

I never even had a choice.
I mourn that life. Mourn the what-ifs.
Until now.
I'm ready to take back that was always meant to be mine.

But every plan has a fatal flaw. Sometimes it's the heart.

**Due to the dark and explicit nature of this book, it is recommended for mature audiences only as some scenes may be particularly disturbing**

"Nothing is real until you break down the walls and reveal the ugliness."

"What on earth did I just read?" was my first thought after finishing this book. "OMFG" was my second. Dark erotic suspense novels aren't everyone's cup of tea but I'm starting to find it's one of my guilty pleasures. I was so torn on how I'd go about rating this book to be honest. But even though Bang took me way out of my comfort zone, it's undeniable that this book was brilliantly written. I'm still reeling and in shock with how it ended though. WHAT WAS THAT CLIFFY?! Bang would make one epic revenge thriller movie. Holy smokes.

Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Title: Just Listen

Author: Sarah Dessen

Publication Date: February 28, 2008

To find the truth, you've got to be willing to hear it.

When she's modeling, Annabel is the picture of perfection.

But her real life is far from perfect.

Fortunately, she's got Owen. He's intense, music-obsessed, and dedicated to always telling the truth.

And most of all, he's determined to make Annabel happy...

"But being nice wasn't as easy as it seemed, especially when the rest of the world could be so mean."

I LOVED THIS BOOK. Just, wow. Powerful, touching, down right emotional. There are two elements that I absolutely love in any book: an emphasis on family and character development. This book had those in spades. The story was beautifully written and, in my opinion, the flow was spot on.

The title, Just Listen, fits this story to a tee and is told in the pov of Annabel Greene, the youngest of three sisters. She lives in a modern styled home known as The Glass House, exposing them to their neighbors and passersby. From the outside, the Greene family seems perfect. Annabel was known for being in TV commercials and was dubbed as the girl who had it all. That was far from the truth. Her friendship with her best friends, Clarke and Sophie, had ended badly which left her isolated. Her sisters had moved out together and didn't call home much which left Annabel alone. She didn't have anyone to confide in so she bottled up her thoughts. When she was with her family, it was apparent how her parents would shield her from family problems and push her opinions aside because of her age. All Annabel ever did was do what she was told and listen.

I liked Annabel. I liked her loyalty to her family. I understood her decisions. She was being bullied at school but she didn't want to burden her family by telling them so. She wanted to stop modeling but she didn't want to hurt her mother's feelings. She was hiding a secret from everyone because she was scared. Just Listen was realistic. One of my favorite aspects of this book was the relationship between Kirsten and Whitney, Annabel's sisters. They had a fall-out ever since Whitney was forced to move back home. They hardly spoke to one another. Their character growth as individuals was poignant and I cried my eyes out when they made up. Not one to inject herself into situations, Annabel quietly observed her sisters from the side. The narrative was so descriptive and thought provoking, throughout the entire book really, and it made my heart ache (in a good way).

"Music is the great uniter. An incredible force.

Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common."

Annabel's growth wasn't as awe-inspiring as her sisters but I still really enjoyed seeing her come out of her shell after meeting Owen. He was the broody, lonely guy at school who was always listening to music. Their friendship developed slowly but sweetly. Owen had a rule to always be honest and Annabel couldn't even fathom being so. His obsession with music was endearing. I loved that he tried to get her to be more open-minded about the different genres of music. I LOVED HIM. He was such a warmhearted guy and an incredibly wonderful brother. His interactions with his younger sister, Mallory, had me smiling wide. I loved that Annabel could be the "older sister" when it came to Mallory and you can see another side to her that's doesn't come out in her own home. The secondary characters made this book just as much as the main characters. And it's those kinds of stories that I find more believable and sucks you right in.

I gave Just Listen 5 stars for the story. It's very much a story of family and self-discovery in my opinion. The romance was subtle and sweet. I loved that it highlighted the importance of trust and communication, that you shouldn't be so quick to judge someone based on their appearance or demeanor. I highly recommend this book to all YA contemporary lovers. It was my first Sarah Dessen book and I must say, she hit this one out of the park. I cannot wait to read more of her work!

"Don't think or judge. Just listen."

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Rolly

Owen's best friend. Rolly was great comic relief and adorable.

I loved that you got to see his own romance bloom, I was cheering for him the entire time.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Review: THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT by Veronica Rossi

Title: Through The Ever Night
Author: Veronica Rossi

Publication Date: January 8, 2013

Under The Never Sky #2

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect.

The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, can their love survive through the ever night?

"We lose and lose, but we're still here."

Okay *takes deep breath*. Where do I even begin? This series is everything I could wish for in a novel. There's adventure, action, betrayal, heartbreak, danger, romance, friendship and loads more. Loads more. I can't even describe it properly but I'll do my best.

Through The Ever Night is the second installment to the Under The Never Sky series by Veronica Rossi and it picks up right where book one ended. THIS SCENE. It was all kinds of wonderful, let me tell you. I absolutely loved Perry's reaction to seeing Aria after being apart for so long. My heart warmed completely and I smiled like a loon:

"When she saw him, her eyes widened in surprise, but her stride didn't slow and neither did his.

He shed his things, dropping them where they fell, and sprinted."

Do you feel the love? Because omg the feels from this scene alone, sigh <3. In TTEN, it's apparent how both Perry and Aria are hesitant to be open about their feelings. Especially since many of the tribe members aren't so welcoming to having a 'Dweller' in their midst, even if Aria is an Aud. Aether storms are worsening and occurring more often than not. Aria had struck a deal with Consul Hess to ensure the safety of Talon, Perry's nephew. And as Aria continued her communication with Consul Hess about finding the Still Blue, she quickly learned that the Pods are also at risk from the Aether. Just when I was celebrating over the fact that Aria and Perry are finally together, circumstance calls for them to be separated again but I loved seeing their character grow as the story progressed. Aria just continually got even more and more kick-a. And even though it sort of saddened me to see Perry 'stuck' in place as the new Tides' Blood Lord, I enjoyed seeing him mature as one. The Tides depended on him and it wouldn't have been in his character to abandon them. It's one of the reasons that make him such a strong and lovable hero. In the parts of the book that they were together though, constant swoons.

"Be ready, because when I see you, I'll never let you go again."

In my opinion, TTEN had a huge emphasis on trust. Trust between the Tides and Perry. Trust between Aria and Roar and even trust between her and Soren, a character I did not think I would ever come to like. I really loved seeing how close Roar and Aria had become though, how their friendship grew. But oh how my heart hurt during the few chapters close to the end. I was definitely worried that one of my favorite characters wouldn't be the same *wipes tear*. Overall, this is a story of strength and persistence, and one filled with a multitude of memorable characters. There wasn't a thing that I disliked (besides Sable, but that's a given...oh wait and that red-headed Scire!!). Ms. Rossi certainly knows how to keep you wanting more. And with how this book ended, the series is sure to conclude with a bang.

"Love is a rebellious bird that nobody can tame."

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Under The Never Sky

--> My Review <--

Roar And Liv

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(#0.5: Prequel novella in Roar's POV)

Through The Ever Night

Brooke

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(#2.5: Novella in Brooke's POV)

Into The Still Blue

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Dual Review: THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN + A CROWN OF WISHES

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Review: RACHEL, OUT OF OFFICE by Christina Hovland

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Dual Review: THE WORD IS MURDER + THE WHISPER MAN

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Review: THE REALITY OF EVERYTHING by Rebecca Yarros

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Review: ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID by Cindi Madsen

Friday, January 31, 2020

Dual Review: ROCK HARD + CHERISH HARD

Monday, September 30, 2019

Review: JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Dual Review: SLOW BURN + FALLING HARD

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Review: THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller

Friday, May 19, 2017

Review: BLURRED LINES by Lauren Layne

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Dual Review: SEMPRE + SEMPRE:REDEMPTION

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Review: ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Review: RIDE STEADY by Kristen Ashley

Monday, December 14, 2015

Review: LONG WAY DOWN by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Review: INTO THE STILL BLUE by Veronica Rossi

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Review: FUEL THE FIRE by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Review: BANG by E.K. Blair

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Friday, February 6, 2015

Review: THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT by Veronica Rossi