Bookish Bluebird: standalone

Showing posts with label standalone. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Blog Tour + Giveaway: HER MARINE NEXT DOOR by Aliyah Burke

Title: Her Marine Next Door

My next door neighbor Parker Jax is not my type. He's covered in tats, rides a motorcycle, and his parties keep me up all night. The fact he's sexy as sin doesn't change the fact we are oil and water.

I'm a quiet artist. He's a rowdy marine. I've got a broken heart. I'm convinced he doesn't have a heart at all.

Thankfully, my bad-boy neighbor is on leave from Marines for only thirty days. But then the jerk has to go and show me that he has a soft side beneath all those hard muscles. He actually leaves his own party to help me, and he didn't even have to.

Fantastic. Now I owe him.

I'm not worried, though. What are the chances he'll need me to do anything before the month is up?

But when a woman shows up with a kid at her side, knocking on Parker's door, it turns out those chances are pretty good...

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.

Blog Tour + Giveaway: GIRL LONG GONE by Danielle M. Haas

Monica's stomach fluttered with excitement as she told the interesting man she'd been flirting with online for weeks all about her weekend plans. He was a great match, and they had so many things in common. But sometimes your life can come down to one single bad decision...

NYPD Computer-crimes detective Connor Mitchel's sister is missing. As he combs through his sister's life, he realizes Monica might not have been this killer's first target—or his last. In a twisted game of cat and mouse, Connor thinks he's finally found the man responsible for his sister's disappearance. Unfortunately, he'll first need to convince the shy, distrustful Evelyn Price she could be the next victim tangled in the murderer's web if she doesn't agree to help him catch the killer. But just as Connor and Evelyn close in on their quarry, the killer has one last trick up his sleeve that could trap them all...

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.

Review: MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Title: Maybe in Another Life

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby's guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she's ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if he wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, more compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?

Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she's found him.

"Life is long and full of an infinite number of decisions."

This is the second novel by author Taylor Jenkins Reid that I have read and enjoyed! If it wasn't official before, I am big, BIG fan of her writing style and narrative. Maybe in Another Life was very thought-provoking. I was unsure how I would feel about concurrent storylines but it played out wonderfully. You don't stay in one parallel universe for too long that you begin to forget the details of the other. The novel is not divided into "chapters", and it does not specify which universe you're in. Personally, I felt that this little formatting element added to my reading experience. The story played out like a continuous flow of scenes. I had to read more to figure out more. I had to pay attention to details. I found myself immersed in Hannah's story—both of them.

Review: THE PIPER'S SON by Melina Marchetta

Title: The Piper's Son

Author: Melina Marchetta

Award-winning author Melina Marchetta reopens the story of the group of friends from her acclaimed novel Saving Francesca—but five years have passed, and now it's Thomas Mackee who needs saving.

After his favorite uncle was blown to bits on his way to work in a foreign city, Tom watched his family implode. He quit school and turned his back on his music and everyone that mattered, including the girl he can't forget. Shooting for oblivion, he's hit rock bottom, forced to live with his single, pregnant aunt, work at Union pub with his former friends, and reckon with his grieving, alcoholic father. Tom's in no shape to mend what's broken. But what if no one else is either?

An unflinching look at family, forgiveness, and the fierce inner workings of love and friendship. The Piper's Son redefines what it means to go home again.

| Website | Goodreads | Twitter |

"But grieving people are selfish. They won't let you comfort them and they say you don't understand

and they make you feel useless when all your life you've been functional to them"

I'd like to begin with a shout out to You Know Who You Are (x2) for continuously bringing the topic of Thomas Mackee on my Twitter timeline at the most random times. But, hey! I've finally made it to this moment and fully understand why Melina Marchetta is magical and awe-mazing. I've read three of her books now, and I have to say her storytelling/narrative is absolutely lovely. Each book has hit me straight in the feels! I will admit that I shed tears with this one. Strong family and friendship dynamics in a book is a weakness of mine. The Piper's Son had both elements in spades. Everyone pick up her books soon because I've fallen in a hole and would prefer for others to suffer with me but I only wish for the best for these characters. No more pain please, only good things please.

Review: THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 by Ruth Ware

Title: The Woman in Cabin 10

Author: Ruth Ware

Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. The sky is clear, the waters calm, and the veneered, select guests jovial as the exclusive cruise ship, the Aurora, begins her voyage in the picturesque North Sea. At first, Lo's stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparking, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a dark and terrifying nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo's desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong.

"There's a reason why we keep thoughts inside our heads

for the most part—they're not safe to be let out in public."

This book triggered all my wannabe Detective Conan skills! Just ask my cousin who I religiously kept updated on my reactions and critical deductions (whether or not she was a willing participant of these impromptu book club messages is unknown). Some of my guesses were not too far off from the truth either. When the book first released, the hype was all over my social media and had caught my interest as a new fan of thriller novels. I was curious if I would like the story because, I was more interested in procedural crime type mysteries/thrillers at the time. It was fun getting my brain working and trying to figure out the what happened though. Hopefully there will be a book-to-movie adaptation of The Woman in Cabin 10, I would watch it!

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.

| Website | Goodreads | Twitter |

"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!!

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: BUTTERFLY DREAMS by A. Meredith Walters

Title: Butterfly Dreams

Author: A. Meredith Walters
Standalone
Publisher: Loveswept

Publication Date: November 24, 2015

She's waiting to die... Corin Thompson is paralyzed by her obsession with mortality. Having lost both of her parents, she is terrified by the idea that she too will die young, and she loses control at any sign of illness. But when Corin connects with someone who has survived a very real brush with death, she begins to see the world in a whole new way.

He's learning to live... As Corin struggles under the weight of her neuroses, Beckett Kingsley is attempting to rebuild a life that feels all too temporary. With the ever-present threat of heart failure never far from his mind, he just wants to make the most of whatever time he has left. And that means pursuing the girl he never expected to find.

Together, Corin and Beckett finally learn to let go of their fears and take solace in everyday pleasures. Who knows what the future holds? After all, nothing lasts forever—the only promise they have is right now.

"Stop thinking about your life in increments. Seconds. Minutes. Days.

Look at the bigger picture and embrace whatever time you have."

Let's start with the cover because, you know I'm a sucker for the pretty ones. I love the blue and purple (my fave colors!), and that gorgeous font. The cover has a kind of hazy, dream-like feel to it that I find reflects the story well. I really, really enjoyed this book! Butterfly Dreams left me wanting to run outside to soak in the sun—happy to just be. It's inspiring and heart-warming. I wasn't the biggest fan of Corin but man, oh man, did I fall head over heels for Beckett.

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?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"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: THIS LULLABY by Sarah Dessen

Title: This Lullaby

Author: Sarah Dessen

She's got it all figured out.

Or does she? When it comes to relationships, Remy's got a whole set of rules.

Never get too serious. Never let him break your heart. And never, ever date a musician.

But then Remy meets Dexter, and the rules don't seem to apply anymore.

Could it be that she's starting to understand what all those love songs are about?

"I had no illusions about love anymore. It came, it went, it left casualties or it didn't."

I enjoyed this one. Not as much as I did my first Sarah Dessen book but it was still good. Light and humorous. I just couldn't connect with the heroine unfortunately. But I absolutely loved Dexter and John Miller because these two are so adorable and quirky and hilarious. Truth Squad, Dexter's band, was the highlight of this book for me. Dexter's dog, Monkey, was also a hoot.

Review: HER STAND-IN BOYFRIEND by Kelly Jamieson

Title: Her Stand-In Boyfriend

Author: Kelly Jamieson

This boyfriend business is about to get a whole lot more personal...

Event planner Lexi Mannis has a busy life in Chicago—too busy to have a boyfriend. For special occasions, she has her Stand-In Boyfriend, Mac Northrop. Mac offers (almost) all the perks of a real boyfriend—furniture assembly, a date to big events, and someone to cook for. But they've never been "with benefits"...until one wickedly hot night crosses the line.

Mac's been in love with Lexi for ages. He knows he should probably end it but dammit, he just can't. When things get deliciously down and dirty, Mac is certain that he's made the leap out of the friend zone...until Lexi decides she wants to remain friends. With benefits.

What Lexi doesn't know is that she's running out of time. And if she won't promote Mac to Real Boyfriend, she might just lose her Stand-In Boyfriend to someone else...

"All relationships take time and work... If you want it enough, you make it a priority."

Her Stand-In Boyfriend is a quick, sweet and easy read. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Lexi and Mac. Their friendship felt natural. I didn't find the story to be angsty, and the plot didn't drag on with drama which was nice. It'd be a great one to pick up in between series or whenever you're looking for something light!

Review: LOVE YOU MADLY by Ashlee Mallory

Title: Love You Madly

Author: Ashlee Mallory

Meredith Sanders was the golden girl in high school—a homecoming queen with a trail of worshipping minions. Now she's all grown up with a trail of failed marriages. The only good thing she has in her life is her brilliant and beautiful teenaged step-daughter...who's missing. But the best man for the job has a serious hate-on for her.

Back in high school, queen bee Meredith made Travis Brennan's life miserable. Since then, he's gone from class geek to a hardened, former SEAL, specializing in private security. As much as he wants to help Meredith's step-daughter, he can't help but clash with the gorgeous woman who once made his life hell.

But as they investigate the increasingly mysterious disappearance, their conflicted past threatens to turn into a very provocative present...

"If someone didn't want you, then to hell with them. Lesson learned.

Because loving someone was a risk—it left you vulnerable."

Based on the cover (I'm all heart eyes over here!), I thought this would be a sexy kind of romantic suspense. Turns out there was very little [read: hardly any] sexy times/romance and a heck of a lot of heart-racing suspense. I didn't really mind the lack thereof but I felt kind of misled by the cover and title. The suspense aspect of the novel was great though! Love You Madly reminded me of a certain Liam Neeson movie, so I had no problem visualizing the setting and many important scenes. Doing so actually made the book more enjoyable for me.

Review: EVERLY AFTER by Rebecca Paula

All truths burn bright and clear. I'm still waiting in the dark.

Everly Monteith has traded her life of glitter, parties, and self-destruction for waitressing in a Parisian café. She's put the tragedy that sent her across the Atlantic in the past—until her toxic ex shows up and sends her reeling once more. Her fresh start begins slipping away until a smug British war correspondent crashes her party. But falling for Beckett means letting down her guard, something that might put them both into the dark.

There are beautiful lies in this world, and it takes me being chased through a hallway at a rave to decide this girl is one of them. But even the most beautiful lies aren't worth chasing.

Twenty-five-year-old Beckett Reid is forced into sabbatical after being kidnapped on assignment in Afghanistan. Back in Paris, he locks himself away to work on a novel, focused on saving his budding journalism career. But when he meets an enigmatic American heiress, his plans are quickly neglected. Everly is the perfect replacement for dangerous war zones, even if she does leave glitter on everything he owns. Reckless and wild, she runs through life making more mistakes than anyone he's met, but Beckett is determined to fight for her, even if he must face the messy truth that he must fight for himself first.

*This New Adult romance is recommended for readers 18+ due to mature content.*

"Sometimes there's good in what scares us."

Everly After isn't what I'd classify as your typical new adult contemporary read. It had quite a dark and depressing tone during many parts of the book. Mainly because of the heroine, Everly. She's settled into a life that she doesn't find meaningful. She's very much struggling to find a purpose, and it made me sad to see her take one step forward only to go back five. She made a lot of poor decisions which made her a hard character for me to like. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this book and not only because Beckett swept me off my feet! What I loved most about Everly After was that the main characters didn't fix each other's imperfections. It was more that they helped each other admit to them and move forward as individuals. Rebecca Paula has written a beautiful story about two broken people loving each other enough to support them at their lowest.

Review: Amour Amour by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Title: Amour Amour

Authors: Krista & Becca Ritchie

Publication Date: December 12, 2014

Love is a circus

"Every day," he says lowly, "I hold a person's life in my hands. The circus is based one-hundred percent off trust. I give it all to someone, and they give it all to me."

The best aerial technique won't land 21-year-old Thora James her dream role in Amour—a sexy new acrobatic show on the Vegas strip. Thora knows she's out of her element the second she meets Amour's leading performer. Confident, charming and devilishly captivating, 26-year-old Nikolai Kotova lives up to his nickname as the "God of Russia".

When Thora unknowingly walks into the crosshairs of Nikolai's after-show, her audition process begins way too soon. Unprofessional. That's what Nik calls their "non-existent" relationship. It's not like Thora can avoid him. For one, they may be partners in the future—acrobatic partners, that is. But getting closer to Nik means diving deeper into sin city and into his dizzying world.

Thora wants to perform with him, but when someone like Nikolai attracts the spotlight wherever he goes—Thora fears that she's destined to be just background to his spellbinding show.

This sexy and exhilarating New Adult Romance can be best be described as Cirque du Soleil meets the steamy, athletic romance of Center Stage.

*standalone & no love triangles--recommended for readers 18+ for mature content*

"Don't count your losses before you see the scoreboard."

I love Cirque du Soleil. So when Krista and Becca Ritchie announced that their next book would have an acrobatic circus setting, I was dancing on tables. Amour Amour was fun, unique and captivating. This spectacular writing duo can do no wrong in my book. They excel at writing family dynamics and the Kotovas stole the show in my opinion. My heart went all warm and fluttery whenever they were all together, especially that Thanksgiving scene *wipes tear*. If you haven't read the Addicted series yet (which I highly recommend that you do), Amour Amour would be a great book to read for a feel of their writing style. The Addicted series references in this book though, my goodness, made me a very happy camper. This was my first 'circus' themed book and it was incredibly entertaining!

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."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Blog Tour + Giveaway: HER MARINE NEXT DOOR by Aliyah Burke

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Review: THE REALITY OF EVERYTHING by Rebecca Yarros

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Blog Tour + Giveaway: GIRL LONG GONE by Danielle M. Haas

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Review: ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID by Cindi Madsen

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Review: MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Review: THE PIPER'S SON by Melina Marchetta

Friday, November 29, 2019

Review: THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 by Ruth Ware

Monday, September 30, 2019

Review: JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Review: THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Review: BUTTERFLY DREAMS by A. Meredith Walters

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Review: ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes

Monday, January 4, 2016

Review: THIS LULLABY by Sarah Dessen

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Review: HER STAND-IN BOYFRIEND by Kelly Jamieson

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Review: LOVE YOU MADLY by Ashlee Mallory

Monday, April 20, 2015

Review: EVERLY AFTER by Rebecca Paula

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Review: Amour Amour by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen