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momwithareadingproblem's Reviews (1.18k)
I received an eARC of this book from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
I really should know better than to start one of Kelly Oram‘s books before bedtime. It’s inevitable that I will stay up and finish reading it. I have never NOT finished one of her books in one sitting. They are that good. The characters are relatable, their plight heart-wrenchingly (is that a word?) real, and there’s just the right pinch of humor to get through the heavy stuff. I should have known better than to cave to my whims at 10:30pm, but I thought one chapter would be enough because I was tired when I started reading. Six hours later after multiple cries and a few snorts of laughter that woke the hubby, I was finished with The Ghost of You and Me and I was heart-broken and exhilarated and couldn’t calm down to sleep.
The Ghost of You and Me by Kelly Oram is her best yet. Honestly I may even like it better than [b:Cinder & Ella|35001687|Cinder & Ella (Cinder & Ella, #1)|Kelly Oram|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493341478s/35001687.jpg|42254560] (Sorry Brian!). I was a little skeptical about how I would feel about the book when I started it. I mean yeah boy is dead and girl has to move on, but there was a bit of a love triangle going on when boy was alive SO I was skeptical. I shouldn’t have been. Seriously, I should have had faith in Kelly Oram. She’s never let me down. The heavy topics explored in this book really hit home for me, and I don’t think anyone else could have written it better.
The entire book is told from Bailey’s point of view. Bailey is introduced as a heartbroken teen. It’s been nearly a year since her long term boyfriend and best friend died in a car accident. She should be starting to put her life back together, instead she’s a living zombie. She goes through the motions but isn’t really there. Her heart has been shattered to pieces and feeling numb is her way to get through the days. I’ve been there. Grief, depression, anger, even lashing out is all normal they say. Bailey’s plight is that she feels SO guilty she doesn’t feel worthy of the things she experiences anymore.
Then there’s Wes. I was a bit confused over his character at first. Bailey remembers him as a guy that hates her. He has hated her ever since she started dating Spencer despite the fact that he was just as much her friend as he was Spencer’s prior to dating. At least that is what she thinks. But that isn’t what the reader gleans. Like Bailey, Wes is feeling guilty for living when Spencer didn’t. My heart ached for Wes. He is so broken and lost I just wanted to reach through the pages and give him a hug.
And finally you have ghost boy aka Spencer. As the blurb says, Spencer can’t rest when the two people he loves the most are still hurting because of him. He is given a short window to come back and fix things and he can only appear to one person, so of course he chooses Bailey. I did not read the blurb before reading the book so I thought she was imagining Spencer but then realized no he was really there. I actually really liked this element of the book. The magical realism was not too far stretched. It was perfect for telling the story and helping the characters “move on.” I loved Spencer and I think I hurt for him just as much as Bailey and Wes did. I loved his wit and how he knew exactly what they needed from him.
Overall I really loved this book. I loved the characters, the plot and even the ghost. If you’re a fan of Kelly Oram or you enjoy YA contemporary, I highly recommend it. It is worth all the feels!!!
I really should know better than to start one of Kelly Oram‘s books before bedtime. It’s inevitable that I will stay up and finish reading it. I have never NOT finished one of her books in one sitting. They are that good. The characters are relatable, their plight heart-wrenchingly (is that a word?) real, and there’s just the right pinch of humor to get through the heavy stuff. I should have known better than to cave to my whims at 10:30pm, but I thought one chapter would be enough because I was tired when I started reading. Six hours later after multiple cries and a few snorts of laughter that woke the hubby, I was finished with The Ghost of You and Me and I was heart-broken and exhilarated and couldn’t calm down to sleep.
The Ghost of You and Me by Kelly Oram is her best yet. Honestly I may even like it better than [b:Cinder & Ella|35001687|Cinder & Ella (Cinder & Ella, #1)|Kelly Oram|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493341478s/35001687.jpg|42254560] (Sorry Brian!). I was a little skeptical about how I would feel about the book when I started it. I mean yeah boy is dead and girl has to move on, but there was a bit of a love triangle going on when boy was alive SO I was skeptical. I shouldn’t have been. Seriously, I should have had faith in Kelly Oram. She’s never let me down. The heavy topics explored in this book really hit home for me, and I don’t think anyone else could have written it better.
The entire book is told from Bailey’s point of view. Bailey is introduced as a heartbroken teen. It’s been nearly a year since her long term boyfriend and best friend died in a car accident. She should be starting to put her life back together, instead she’s a living zombie. She goes through the motions but isn’t really there. Her heart has been shattered to pieces and feeling numb is her way to get through the days. I’ve been there. Grief, depression, anger, even lashing out is all normal they say. Bailey’s plight is that she feels SO guilty she doesn’t feel worthy of the things she experiences anymore.
Then there’s Wes. I was a bit confused over his character at first. Bailey remembers him as a guy that hates her. He has hated her ever since she started dating Spencer despite the fact that he was just as much her friend as he was Spencer’s prior to dating. At least that is what she thinks. But that isn’t what the reader gleans. Like Bailey, Wes is feeling guilty for living when Spencer didn’t. My heart ached for Wes. He is so broken and lost I just wanted to reach through the pages and give him a hug.
And finally you have ghost boy aka Spencer. As the blurb says, Spencer can’t rest when the two people he loves the most are still hurting because of him. He is given a short window to come back and fix things and he can only appear to one person, so of course he chooses Bailey. I did not read the blurb before reading the book so I thought she was imagining Spencer but then realized no he was really there. I actually really liked this element of the book. The magical realism was not too far stretched. It was perfect for telling the story and helping the characters “move on.” I loved Spencer and I think I hurt for him just as much as Bailey and Wes did. I loved his wit and how he knew exactly what they needed from him.
Overall I really loved this book. I loved the characters, the plot and even the ghost. If you’re a fan of Kelly Oram or you enjoy YA contemporary, I highly recommend it. It is worth all the feels!!!
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Initial Reaction:
What a ride!!!! The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey is the urban fantasy I've been waiting for all year. It embodies all I love about the genre and at the same time remains unique. Following the story of a young girl as she navigates the world of the Avicen and Drakharin, The Girl at Midnight is non-stop action and suspense with a little teenage girl humor thrown in.
Echo is one of my new favorite characters!! A runaway taken in by the Ala at 7, she is now 17 and still running. She trusts few people and those she does trust, she is fiercely loyal too. She loves her "family" with abandon and will stop at nothing to protect them. When the Ala tasks her with finding the Firebird, a mythical object that can stop the war between the Avicen and Drakharin, Echo doesn't question her, she just sets out to find it. That is who Echo is at her heart. What makes her absolutely lovable though is the transformation she goes through during the book. She starts out a bit on the selfish side, she's a thief, and a girl who has never fit in. By the end though that all changes :D
The Drakharin are dragons. Yep you read that right...dragons!!! Yet they are not your typical dragons. These dragons look like humans, they lost their ability to change form millennia ago, but what denotes them as dragons is the scattering of scales on their temples and cheeks, their eyes, and some of them their magical properties. Honestly they are a bit scary! The Avicen and Drakharin have been a war so long that neither side really remembers why, and now Echo in her search for the mythical Firebird is in the middle of it.
Initial Reaction:
What a ride!!!! The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey is the urban fantasy I've been waiting for all year. It embodies all I love about the genre and at the same time remains unique. Following the story of a young girl as she navigates the world of the Avicen and Drakharin, The Girl at Midnight is non-stop action and suspense with a little teenage girl humor thrown in.
Echo is one of my new favorite characters!! A runaway taken in by the Ala at 7, she is now 17 and still running. She trusts few people and those she does trust, she is fiercely loyal too. She loves her "family" with abandon and will stop at nothing to protect them. When the Ala tasks her with finding the Firebird, a mythical object that can stop the war between the Avicen and Drakharin, Echo doesn't question her, she just sets out to find it. That is who Echo is at her heart. What makes her absolutely lovable though is the transformation she goes through during the book. She starts out a bit on the selfish side, she's a thief, and a girl who has never fit in. By the end though that all changes :D
It was one thing both sides agreed on. They fought. They died. They left no trace for human eyes.The Avicen and the Drakharin fascinate me! They are the magical/fantastical elements in the story. The Avicen are (for lack of better description) bird people. They vary from looking like full birds to half-human. Where they should have hair is feathers, their eyes are large and birdlike, and their coloring varies as much as the avian population from simple whites to multi-colored peacocks. Honestly this race that Grey has created is beautiful and the imagery used to describe them is so vivid that I wasn't left with any doubt on how they should look.
The Drakharin are dragons. Yep you read that right...dragons!!! Yet they are not your typical dragons. These dragons look like humans, they lost their ability to change form millennia ago, but what denotes them as dragons is the scattering of scales on their temples and cheeks, their eyes, and some of them their magical properties. Honestly they are a bit scary! The Avicen and Drakharin have been a war so long that neither side really remembers why, and now Echo in her search for the mythical Firebird is in the middle of it.
When she told the Ala she would take on the Dragon Prince himself if she had to, she'd been trading in pure hyperbole. The universe was being entirely too literal for her liking.The Dragon Prince Caius is also on the hunt for the Firebird and he happens to be my second favorite character :D Caius is weary of battle and war. He wants the killing on both sides to end, he wants to live in peace. The Drakharins scoff his efforts at finding the Firebird so he enlists his most trusted friend to help him: Dorian. When a set of events bring he and Echo together, they have trust each other despite their natural instincts to dislike the other. It's interesting and full of tension!
So. Here we are. A flame-throwing thief, a deposed prince, an apprentice healer, an ex-royal guard, and a career scoundrel taking on a war on two fronts.Overall I couldn't have asked for a better read than this! It is full of everything I love: action, suspense, a tiny bit of romance (so tiny I debated even mentioning it), characters that are believable, and a world unlike any of I've ever read. The writing is delicious with vivid imagery and a snarky main character to bring a little comedic relief during the heavy moments. Plus (can you hear the bit of squeal in my voice) the author alternates POV among several characters giving you a comprehensive look at each and lending some...or a lot....of irony to the plot. If you enjoy urban fantasy and young adult, I highly recommend you pick up this book as your next read!
The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey is the second book in the phenomenal urban fantasy series The Girl at Midnight. I loved The Girl at Midnight! I loved the fantasy, I loved the world-building, and I loved Echo. The story is addictive and Echo is a heroine that is easy to fall in love with so I was anxious to start reading the second book. I needed to know what was going to happen to Echo, Caius and the rest of the gang.
Please note that this is the second book in a series. There are minor spoilers to the previous book in this review. If you have not read the first book, read at your own risk.
The end of The Girl at Midnight left me reeling! ECHO IS THE FIREBIRD!!!!! I kinda saw it coming throughout the book, especially towards the end, but aw man that ending. The Shadow Hour picks up a few months later. Echo, Ivy, Dorian, Jasper, and Caius are in hiding. Both the Avicen and Drakharin are looking for them, and more specifically looking for Echo. They want to use her to end the war. BUT trouble is brewing in the form of the kuçedra which is the opposite of the firebird. There has to be a balance in the universe and this is what it created, the shadows to Echo’s light. Seriously this thing is creepy.
Echo struggles in this book, not only with herself but with the firebird living inside her. It’s one thing to have a legend living inside you but another to have all the other hosts’ ghosts also living in you. Because of this, Echo feels temporarily lost. She doesn’t know where she ends and the ghosts begin. She doesn’t know if her feelings for Caius are hers or Rose’s. She doesn’t know how to cope with all the knowledge she suddenly has and my heart ached for her.
Then there’s the inevitable love triangle. I knew it was coming. How could it not with Echo starting the series with Rowan and ending the last book with Caius? It was bound to happen but I loathed it all the same. I hate this trope in books. I understand it but I still hate it. Despite my hatred for triangles, this one is written very well. Echo loves both guys in different ways. Rowan is home, he’s her constant, her best friend, and playmate. Caius challenges her, makes her feel comfortable in her own skin, and has never questioned what she can do because she is human, he just accepts it. For once, the author had me torn between the two. Usually I lean one way or the other but I like both of them and I want her to choose but I don’t know who I want!
The plot of this story revolves around two things: finding out how to wield the firebird’s power AND figuring out how to stop the kuçedra. Like with the previous book, I was blown away by the world-building and vivid imagery. Really Melissa Grey has outdone herself. Usually I go into the second book with hesitation because usually second books fall to second-book syndrome becoming a bridge or stopgap to the last book. Not the case with The Shadow Hour! It was just as good as the first and the world continued to be built upon. I love it!!!
Overall I could seriously fangirl about the story all day long. I love Echo and I cannot wait to find out what will happen next. And that cliffhanger?!?! I can’t deal! I need to know ASAP what will happen. Good thing the wait isn’t long. As I’ve already warned, this is the second book in the series and you really can’t read this one without reading the first. I don’t suggest you try it. If you enjoy urban fantasy or enjoyed Laini Taylor’s [b:Daughter of Smoke & Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461353773s/8490112.jpg|13355552], I highly recommend you begin this series. It does not disappoint!
Please note that this is the second book in a series. There are minor spoilers to the previous book in this review. If you have not read the first book, read at your own risk.
The end of The Girl at Midnight left me reeling! ECHO IS THE FIREBIRD!!!!! I kinda saw it coming throughout the book, especially towards the end, but aw man that ending. The Shadow Hour picks up a few months later. Echo, Ivy, Dorian, Jasper, and Caius are in hiding. Both the Avicen and Drakharin are looking for them, and more specifically looking for Echo. They want to use her to end the war. BUT trouble is brewing in the form of the kuçedra which is the opposite of the firebird. There has to be a balance in the universe and this is what it created, the shadows to Echo’s light. Seriously this thing is creepy.
Echo struggles in this book, not only with herself but with the firebird living inside her. It’s one thing to have a legend living inside you but another to have all the other hosts’ ghosts also living in you. Because of this, Echo feels temporarily lost. She doesn’t know where she ends and the ghosts begin. She doesn’t know if her feelings for Caius are hers or Rose’s. She doesn’t know how to cope with all the knowledge she suddenly has and my heart ached for her.
Then there’s the inevitable love triangle. I knew it was coming. How could it not with Echo starting the series with Rowan and ending the last book with Caius? It was bound to happen but I loathed it all the same. I hate this trope in books. I understand it but I still hate it. Despite my hatred for triangles, this one is written very well. Echo loves both guys in different ways. Rowan is home, he’s her constant, her best friend, and playmate. Caius challenges her, makes her feel comfortable in her own skin, and has never questioned what she can do because she is human, he just accepts it. For once, the author had me torn between the two. Usually I lean one way or the other but I like both of them and I want her to choose but I don’t know who I want!
The plot of this story revolves around two things: finding out how to wield the firebird’s power AND figuring out how to stop the kuçedra. Like with the previous book, I was blown away by the world-building and vivid imagery. Really Melissa Grey has outdone herself. Usually I go into the second book with hesitation because usually second books fall to second-book syndrome becoming a bridge or stopgap to the last book. Not the case with The Shadow Hour! It was just as good as the first and the world continued to be built upon. I love it!!!
Overall I could seriously fangirl about the story all day long. I love Echo and I cannot wait to find out what will happen next. And that cliffhanger?!?! I can’t deal! I need to know ASAP what will happen. Good thing the wait isn’t long. As I’ve already warned, this is the second book in the series and you really can’t read this one without reading the first. I don’t suggest you try it. If you enjoy urban fantasy or enjoyed Laini Taylor’s [b:Daughter of Smoke & Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461353773s/8490112.jpg|13355552], I highly recommend you begin this series. It does not disappoint!
I received an ARC from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
As I sit down to write this review, my heart still hurts. I’m still living in the world Melissa Grey created in The Girl at Midnight. The Savage Dawn is hauntingly written and a fantastic conclusion to Echo’s story. After finishing [b:The Shadow Hour|27245910|The Shadow Hour (The Girl at Midnight, #2)|Melissa Grey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445926118s/27245910.jpg|45271857], I knew that this book was going to be darker than the rest, that it would take me through a gamut of emotions, and that it would leave me wanting more.
Please note that this is the final book in a series, there are minor, unavoidable spoilers to the previous books in this review. Read at your own risk.
Echo is a resilient character and one that people can easily identify with. Despite everything that is thrown at her, she remains the same. She is still the thief we met back in [b:The Girl at Midnight|20345202|The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1)|Melissa Grey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403891131s/20345202.jpg|28353831]. She is still loyal to a fault to those she loves and will do anything including dying for them. She’s already proved this about herself. While everything I love about Echo remains, her character is pushed to the breaking point and she is forced to change. She is forced to become a better version of herself and I love her even more for it. She is one of my favorite characters ever!
But Echo isn’t the only stand-out character in this book. There’s Caius whose fate was unknown at the end of [b:The Shadow Hour|27245910|The Shadow Hour (The Girl at Midnight, #2)|Melissa Grey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445926118s/27245910.jpg|45271857]. Caius is one of those characters that will stick with me for a long time. He’s wise (obviously, he’s 250 years old), but he still has a naivety about him that is endearing. He loves his sister despite what she has become, what she plans to do to him and the world, and he loves his people. He is the kind of leader you want to see, he will sacrifice anything for them, to keep them safe and to protect those he loves. Despite being the leader, he sees himself as the base of the pyramid holding those who rely on him, who look up to him, up. I love him!!! I love his quirks, his love of reading, and how he loves Echo. It’s….gah!!! I could write an entire blog post about just him but I’ll stop there.
The Avicen and Drakharin have come so far since book one. The mythology and world-building that started in [b:The Girl at Midnight|20345202|The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1)|Melissa Grey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403891131s/20345202.jpg|28353831] has continued and Melissa Grey has built upon that foundation creating a fantastic world set within the realms of our own. Merging contemporary and fantasy together, the author has a created an urban fantasy must-read. As the mythology continues to expand in this book, the author brings the story full circle and it is poetic in its entirety. The foreshadowing and dread I felt while reading is something that has stuck with me even a few hours after finishing the book and I suspect will follow me for a few days….that’s the mark of a great author friends!
Overall The Savage Dawn was a heart-breaking conclusion that left me satisfied and wanting more all at the same time. I would love to see more from this world the author’s created either in the form of standalone novels or a new adventure, but if there isn’t anymore that’s okay too. If you’ve enjoyed the series thus far, you won’t be disappointed at its end. I highly recommend this series for fans of Laini Taylor’s [b:Daughter of Smoke & Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461353773s/8490112.jpg|13355552] and to anyone who appreciates a good urban fantasy.
As I sit down to write this review, my heart still hurts. I’m still living in the world Melissa Grey created in The Girl at Midnight. The Savage Dawn is hauntingly written and a fantastic conclusion to Echo’s story. After finishing [b:The Shadow Hour|27245910|The Shadow Hour (The Girl at Midnight, #2)|Melissa Grey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445926118s/27245910.jpg|45271857], I knew that this book was going to be darker than the rest, that it would take me through a gamut of emotions, and that it would leave me wanting more.
Please note that this is the final book in a series, there are minor, unavoidable spoilers to the previous books in this review. Read at your own risk.
Echo is a resilient character and one that people can easily identify with. Despite everything that is thrown at her, she remains the same. She is still the thief we met back in [b:The Girl at Midnight|20345202|The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1)|Melissa Grey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403891131s/20345202.jpg|28353831]. She is still loyal to a fault to those she loves and will do anything including dying for them. She’s already proved this about herself. While everything I love about Echo remains, her character is pushed to the breaking point and she is forced to change. She is forced to become a better version of herself and I love her even more for it. She is one of my favorite characters ever!
But Echo isn’t the only stand-out character in this book. There’s Caius whose fate was unknown at the end of [b:The Shadow Hour|27245910|The Shadow Hour (The Girl at Midnight, #2)|Melissa Grey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445926118s/27245910.jpg|45271857]. Caius is one of those characters that will stick with me for a long time. He’s wise (obviously, he’s 250 years old), but he still has a naivety about him that is endearing. He loves his sister despite what she has become, what she plans to do to him and the world, and he loves his people. He is the kind of leader you want to see, he will sacrifice anything for them, to keep them safe and to protect those he loves. Despite being the leader, he sees himself as the base of the pyramid holding those who rely on him, who look up to him, up. I love him!!! I love his quirks, his love of reading, and how he loves Echo. It’s….gah!!! I could write an entire blog post about just him but I’ll stop there.
The Avicen and Drakharin have come so far since book one. The mythology and world-building that started in [b:The Girl at Midnight|20345202|The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1)|Melissa Grey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403891131s/20345202.jpg|28353831] has continued and Melissa Grey has built upon that foundation creating a fantastic world set within the realms of our own. Merging contemporary and fantasy together, the author has a created an urban fantasy must-read. As the mythology continues to expand in this book, the author brings the story full circle and it is poetic in its entirety. The foreshadowing and dread I felt while reading is something that has stuck with me even a few hours after finishing the book and I suspect will follow me for a few days….that’s the mark of a great author friends!
Overall The Savage Dawn was a heart-breaking conclusion that left me satisfied and wanting more all at the same time. I would love to see more from this world the author’s created either in the form of standalone novels or a new adventure, but if there isn’t anymore that’s okay too. If you’ve enjoyed the series thus far, you won’t be disappointed at its end. I highly recommend this series for fans of Laini Taylor’s [b:Daughter of Smoke & Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461353773s/8490112.jpg|13355552] and to anyone who appreciates a good urban fantasy.
I first came across Perfectly Oblivious by Robin Daniels on a Facebook fan page for [a:Kelly Oram|3203095|Kelly Oram|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1455838915p2/3203095.jpg]. At the time I didn’t realize they were sisters, but now it makes perfect sense. Friends if you love and are obsessed with Kelly as I am (she’s about the only YA contemporary I’ll read), then you are in for a treat. Perfectly Oblivious by Robin Daniels is a sweet story about two best friends falling in love. Told in dual POV, the reader knows all creating some dang fine irony as we read the characters’ struggles.
Bianca Barnes is who I wanted to be growing up. Petite, athletic, the girl that’s friends with all the guys but doesn’t really date any of them. She’s comfortable in her own skin except for when it comes to her best friend and neighbor Cameron. Quite simply, she’s in love with him and has been from the day they met. But she’ll never admit it for fear that he likes her sister better. Her dilemma is classic. Been there, done that and I’m sure any girl can relate. While Bianca is confident in herself, she also has this stubborn belief that no one will like her like that. That role goes to her big sister, the beautiful, sweet, stereotypical cheerleader.
Cameron Bates is not at all what I expected. After reading three or four chapters from Bianca’s POV, I was a little surprised that the playboy really wasn’t one. He was striving to get the girl of his dreams to like him back. Like Bianca, Cam is insecure. He knows he’s good looking and their personalities match, but he isn’t sure if he’s been friend-zoned. And that scares him because Bebe (his nickname for Bianca) is his best friend and while he would love for her to be more he doesn’t want to lose her either. Again classic dilemma that I’m sure many will relate too.
The plot is fairly simple. Cam wants Bebe to notice him and hopefully become more than just his friend. The way he goes about winning the girl isn’t as simple and at times I really wanted to reach through the pages and yank on his ear. Seriously, he is super sweet in his gestures but man does he have foot-in-mouth disease when they talk face to face *smh* I really liked having both POV as it helped to understand what the other was thinking. However I did feel like it spoiled itself as you were reading and there were several instances of repetition which was distracting and pulled away from the pace of the story.
Overall I really enjoyed this debut novel. I thought that the author has done a decent job of creating believable characters and the pace kept my attention. In fact, I finished it in one sitting. If you enjoy YA contemporary or you’re looking for a light weekend/beach read, I highly recommend you grab a copy!
Bianca Barnes is who I wanted to be growing up. Petite, athletic, the girl that’s friends with all the guys but doesn’t really date any of them. She’s comfortable in her own skin except for when it comes to her best friend and neighbor Cameron. Quite simply, she’s in love with him and has been from the day they met. But she’ll never admit it for fear that he likes her sister better. Her dilemma is classic. Been there, done that and I’m sure any girl can relate. While Bianca is confident in herself, she also has this stubborn belief that no one will like her like that. That role goes to her big sister, the beautiful, sweet, stereotypical cheerleader.
Cameron Bates is not at all what I expected. After reading three or four chapters from Bianca’s POV, I was a little surprised that the playboy really wasn’t one. He was striving to get the girl of his dreams to like him back. Like Bianca, Cam is insecure. He knows he’s good looking and their personalities match, but he isn’t sure if he’s been friend-zoned. And that scares him because Bebe (his nickname for Bianca) is his best friend and while he would love for her to be more he doesn’t want to lose her either. Again classic dilemma that I’m sure many will relate too.
The plot is fairly simple. Cam wants Bebe to notice him and hopefully become more than just his friend. The way he goes about winning the girl isn’t as simple and at times I really wanted to reach through the pages and yank on his ear. Seriously, he is super sweet in his gestures but man does he have foot-in-mouth disease when they talk face to face *smh* I really liked having both POV as it helped to understand what the other was thinking. However I did feel like it spoiled itself as you were reading and there were several instances of repetition which was distracting and pulled away from the pace of the story.
Overall I really enjoyed this debut novel. I thought that the author has done a decent job of creating believable characters and the pace kept my attention. In fact, I finished it in one sitting. If you enjoy YA contemporary or you’re looking for a light weekend/beach read, I highly recommend you grab a copy!
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
The Great Library series just keeps getting better and better!! Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine is the third book in this series and so far my favorite installment. The action and suspense are tripled in this book compared to the rest of the series. Please note that if you have not read the first two books, there will be minor spoilers to the previous books in this review. Read at your own risk! Ash and Quill picks up right where [b:Paper and Fire|25890355|Paper and Fire (The Great Library, #2)|Rachel Caine|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443021846s/25890355.jpg|45771330] left off. Jess and his friends along with Scholar Wolfe and Captain Santi have survived the Welsh invasion of London only to escape to Philadelphia, a burner-controlled city. Obviously they have left one evil and thrown themselves at another. The question now becomes what will they do and can they do it.
I just love this series! It’s no secret that I started [b:Ink and Bone|20643052|Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1)|Rachel Caine|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1418350512s/20643052.jpg|39934787] not once but three times before I was finally able to finish it. It has a slow start, but the world building more than makes up for it. In Ash and Quill, Jess and his friends get a different narrative than the one the Library has been feeding to them. The Burners aren’t completely bad. They are humans, just like them, trying to survive in the harsh world the Library has created. Their rebellion, the burning of Library books isn’t necessarily about burning the books but taking power away from the Library.
Jess is more confused than ever. He has always believed in the Library’s main goal, saving and rescuing books, making them available to all. BUT after having lived under the Library’s rule, first as a postulate and then as a soldier, Jess has learned the Library harbors dark secrets. Having saved as many of the Black Books (think banned) as they could before escaping in the last book, Jess and his friends inexplicably still believe in the Library, but not its leaders. Jess and his friends are entering dangerous territory with their thoughts, but it doesn’t stop them. Jess is ready to give everything to save his friends and his sacrifice may cost him everything.
Perhaps the most interesting character this time is actually Brendan, Jess’s twin. He makes an appearance halfway through the book and I found myself actually liking him for once. To begin with, Brendan seemed the jealous brother who just wanted to see Jess fail. BUT in this installment, after having nearly lost Jess, their camaraderie comes out and Brendan redeems himself in my eyes. I’m curious to see what will happen with his character in the next book.
The plot revolved around Jess and his friends escaping the Burners, but also learning what the Burners stood for. I think this was an important plot point. In the previous books of the series, the Burners were painted as evil, literally burning everything Jess and and the Library stood for. But in this book, the characters get a glimpse into how they live, the oppression put upon them by the Library, and what they are truly fighting for. It changes everything that has happened so far in the series in my opinion.
Overall, Ash and Quill is a game changer for The Great Library series. It is action-packed. I seriously caught myself holding my breath during several of the more intense scenes, gasping and I may have even shed a tear or two…though I’ll never actually admit it. This is one of my favorite alt history books, bordering on a dystopian. If you have enjoyed the series so far, don’t miss this installment. If you haven’t started it yet, I suggest you do asap!
The Great Library series just keeps getting better and better!! Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine is the third book in this series and so far my favorite installment. The action and suspense are tripled in this book compared to the rest of the series. Please note that if you have not read the first two books, there will be minor spoilers to the previous books in this review. Read at your own risk! Ash and Quill picks up right where [b:Paper and Fire|25890355|Paper and Fire (The Great Library, #2)|Rachel Caine|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443021846s/25890355.jpg|45771330] left off. Jess and his friends along with Scholar Wolfe and Captain Santi have survived the Welsh invasion of London only to escape to Philadelphia, a burner-controlled city. Obviously they have left one evil and thrown themselves at another. The question now becomes what will they do and can they do it.
I just love this series! It’s no secret that I started [b:Ink and Bone|20643052|Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1)|Rachel Caine|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1418350512s/20643052.jpg|39934787] not once but three times before I was finally able to finish it. It has a slow start, but the world building more than makes up for it. In Ash and Quill, Jess and his friends get a different narrative than the one the Library has been feeding to them. The Burners aren’t completely bad. They are humans, just like them, trying to survive in the harsh world the Library has created. Their rebellion, the burning of Library books isn’t necessarily about burning the books but taking power away from the Library.
Jess is more confused than ever. He has always believed in the Library’s main goal, saving and rescuing books, making them available to all. BUT after having lived under the Library’s rule, first as a postulate and then as a soldier, Jess has learned the Library harbors dark secrets. Having saved as many of the Black Books (think banned) as they could before escaping in the last book, Jess and his friends inexplicably still believe in the Library, but not its leaders. Jess and his friends are entering dangerous territory with their thoughts, but it doesn’t stop them. Jess is ready to give everything to save his friends and his sacrifice may cost him everything.
Perhaps the most interesting character this time is actually Brendan, Jess’s twin. He makes an appearance halfway through the book and I found myself actually liking him for once. To begin with, Brendan seemed the jealous brother who just wanted to see Jess fail. BUT in this installment, after having nearly lost Jess, their camaraderie comes out and Brendan redeems himself in my eyes. I’m curious to see what will happen with his character in the next book.
The plot revolved around Jess and his friends escaping the Burners, but also learning what the Burners stood for. I think this was an important plot point. In the previous books of the series, the Burners were painted as evil, literally burning everything Jess and and the Library stood for. But in this book, the characters get a glimpse into how they live, the oppression put upon them by the Library, and what they are truly fighting for. It changes everything that has happened so far in the series in my opinion.
Overall, Ash and Quill is a game changer for The Great Library series. It is action-packed. I seriously caught myself holding my breath during several of the more intense scenes, gasping and I may have even shed a tear or two…though I’ll never actually admit it. This is one of my favorite alt history books, bordering on a dystopian. If you have enjoyed the series so far, don’t miss this installment. If you haven’t started it yet, I suggest you do asap!
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
No Good Deeds by Kara Connolly is a fresh take on the Robin Hood legend involving a little time travel. For me, retellings are a recent love. I’ve not always been a fan, but I really enjoyed this one. And Robin Hood, well he’s one of my favorites. I love the myth and legend surrounding this outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor. It’s nice to think the man existed at some point in the Middle Ages, fighting the people who were drunk on power to save the little guy. Robin Hood is iconic, which is why I thought it brave for a debut author to tackle this myth. However Kara Connolly does a fantastic job with it.
The entire story is told from Ellie’s perspective. She’s a nineteen year old, Indiana girl who happens to be a good archer and at the opening of the story is participating in some tournament to qualify for the Olympic team (at least that’s what I gathered from her descriptions). I like and dislike Ellie. She’s immature for her age, makes rash decisions, and doesn’t seem to question the consequences of her actions until after the fact.
When by some twist of fate she finds herself in medieval Nottinghamshire, Ellie embarks on a journey that puts her at the center of the Robin Hood legend. Ellie gives herself two rules for the past: don’t die and don’t change history. I thought those were pretty basic and covered everything that could possibly happen to her. Yet she becomes the center of the sheriff’s attention when she arrives making herself an instant target. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out while reading that Ellie’s actions in the past are what create the Robin Hood legend, even when she is trying to stick to what she knows of the myth. I actually liked this twist! I liked Ellie being the iconic outlaw.
Aside from Ellie are the people she encounters in the past. I wound up liking the all! Much the Miller’s son, Little John, Will Scarlett, even Friar Tuck make appearances, though their names are not what Ellie know them as. She easily connects who the people are in the legend and I loved reading as they came to life on the pages. Will was my favorite (even if I did keep confusing him with the Will Scarlett from Once Upon a Time).
My only dislike was a bit of plot hole with the time travel. It is never really explained. How did Ellie get to the past? How will she get home? How do her actions change the future or will they change the future? It’s all very: “Oh look I’m in the past, I’ll just roll with it,” instead of the panicking I’d expect. There’s no explanation about this aspect of the book and I really wish there had been. It felt like a glaring hole.
Overall I enjoyed the story and Ellie grew on me as I read. The gender twist of the original Robin Hood made for an interesting read, and I was pleasantly surprised at the historical aspects that were included. If you enjoy alternate history or retellings, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this book. It doesn’t disappoint.
No Good Deeds by Kara Connolly is a fresh take on the Robin Hood legend involving a little time travel. For me, retellings are a recent love. I’ve not always been a fan, but I really enjoyed this one. And Robin Hood, well he’s one of my favorites. I love the myth and legend surrounding this outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor. It’s nice to think the man existed at some point in the Middle Ages, fighting the people who were drunk on power to save the little guy. Robin Hood is iconic, which is why I thought it brave for a debut author to tackle this myth. However Kara Connolly does a fantastic job with it.
The entire story is told from Ellie’s perspective. She’s a nineteen year old, Indiana girl who happens to be a good archer and at the opening of the story is participating in some tournament to qualify for the Olympic team (at least that’s what I gathered from her descriptions). I like and dislike Ellie. She’s immature for her age, makes rash decisions, and doesn’t seem to question the consequences of her actions until after the fact.
When by some twist of fate she finds herself in medieval Nottinghamshire, Ellie embarks on a journey that puts her at the center of the Robin Hood legend. Ellie gives herself two rules for the past: don’t die and don’t change history. I thought those were pretty basic and covered everything that could possibly happen to her. Yet she becomes the center of the sheriff’s attention when she arrives making herself an instant target. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out while reading that Ellie’s actions in the past are what create the Robin Hood legend, even when she is trying to stick to what she knows of the myth. I actually liked this twist! I liked Ellie being the iconic outlaw.
Aside from Ellie are the people she encounters in the past. I wound up liking the all! Much the Miller’s son, Little John, Will Scarlett, even Friar Tuck make appearances, though their names are not what Ellie know them as. She easily connects who the people are in the legend and I loved reading as they came to life on the pages. Will was my favorite (even if I did keep confusing him with the Will Scarlett from Once Upon a Time).
My only dislike was a bit of plot hole with the time travel. It is never really explained. How did Ellie get to the past? How will she get home? How do her actions change the future or will they change the future? It’s all very: “Oh look I’m in the past, I’ll just roll with it,” instead of the panicking I’d expect. There’s no explanation about this aspect of the book and I really wish there had been. It felt like a glaring hole.
Overall I enjoyed the story and Ellie grew on me as I read. The gender twist of the original Robin Hood made for an interesting read, and I was pleasantly surprised at the historical aspects that were included. If you enjoy alternate history or retellings, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this book. It doesn’t disappoint.
Broken Skies by Theresa Kay is a fast-paced, action-packed, dystopian set when humans are near extinction and aliens are colonizing the planet. Jasmine, or Jax as she prefers to be called, witnesses her twin brother's capture by the E'rikon and finds herself face to face with one of them, an alien boy named Lir. Lir is her only hope of getting into the alien city and finding her brother.
WARNING: There will be copious amounts of fangirling in this review.
In all seriousness, I LOVED this book! I finished it in one sitting, forgoing sleep to see what would happen to these characters. The author created such a wonderful dystopian world (oxymoron?) that I was fully invested within the first few pages of the book.
Jax is 17, almost 18 and is suffering from PTSD after an incident that isn't really described in detail in the book (it doesn't have to be, it's insinuated) where she kills two men to protect herself. This horrific account drives her brother and her to live in a local human colony, where it seems the leader has gone back to the dark ages. Women basically have no say in anything and are used mainly for the purpose of producing more children. Jace, Jax's brother, is all she has and she relies on him for everything from sleeping at night to intervening on her behalf when she has to be in public. But that all changes when he's taken by the aliens.
Jax's transformation is almost overnight. She becomes determined, at all costs to find her brother, her only living relative, the only person to ever understand her. Jax is self-reliant and can find her way in the forest and provide for herself thanks to her brother and late-father's instructions. And now she's uses those strengths to give her the courage to rescue Jace. The problem she has only has the support of an alien who is rumored to hate humans to help her.
Lir is an E'rikon, an alien, who supposedly hates humans though no one knows why because they came to Earth after the Collapse when humans were almost extinct. He is quiet, reserved, but seems to know intuitively what Jax is thinking. Unfortunately because he isn't from her planet and has never ventured far from the alien city he has no way of taking care of himself in the forest and no way to find the city. He has to rely on Jax's help to get him there, which as the author reveals more and more about his character you see is extremely hard for him. I really like Lir. He was a bit of a mystery, but despite that you can see the trust he has in Jax and watch as his feelings develop for her through her eyes....she's a bit naive and doesn't pick up on it though ;)
The majority of the book takes place in the forests and the journey that Jax and Lir takes to find Jace. In fact for a good 50% of the book it is just the two of them and the occasional threats they run up against. There is a lot of character and relationship building between the two and it adds a certain depth to the story. I loved them both and hurt for them as they struggled through the journey. Then once they reached Lir's city, the prejudice they faced broke my heart.
There's only one thing I wish there was more about, the Collapse and the E'rikon arrival. The Collapse occurred around 20 years prior to the book's setting, and all that is said is a virus killed nearly the whole population leaving humans an endangered species. Now they live in like a third-world setting, with little to no electricity or running water. The aliens arrived ten years later, colonized a city and have kept to themselves. I want to know why they came, what was up with the virus, and what prevents the humans and aliens from destroying each other.
The descriptions of this dystopian world, the aliens, and the characters have me fully invested in the story. Told entirely from Jax's POV, the reader gets a glimpse of just how broken she is, how her trust does not come easily, and the little things she observes as a "mentally unstable" girl. I loved every part of this wonderful story and I cannot wait for book two which the author has disclosed will include some POV in Lir's perspective :D If you enjoy young adult fiction, dystopians, and science fiction with a dash of romance, I highly suggest you check this one out. It won't disappoint!
I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
WARNING: There will be copious amounts of fangirling in this review.
In all seriousness, I LOVED this book! I finished it in one sitting, forgoing sleep to see what would happen to these characters. The author created such a wonderful dystopian world (oxymoron?) that I was fully invested within the first few pages of the book.
Jax is 17, almost 18 and is suffering from PTSD after an incident that isn't really described in detail in the book (it doesn't have to be, it's insinuated) where she kills two men to protect herself. This horrific account drives her brother and her to live in a local human colony, where it seems the leader has gone back to the dark ages. Women basically have no say in anything and are used mainly for the purpose of producing more children. Jace, Jax's brother, is all she has and she relies on him for everything from sleeping at night to intervening on her behalf when she has to be in public. But that all changes when he's taken by the aliens.
Jax's transformation is almost overnight. She becomes determined, at all costs to find her brother, her only living relative, the only person to ever understand her. Jax is self-reliant and can find her way in the forest and provide for herself thanks to her brother and late-father's instructions. And now she's uses those strengths to give her the courage to rescue Jace. The problem she has only has the support of an alien who is rumored to hate humans to help her.
Lir is an E'rikon, an alien, who supposedly hates humans though no one knows why because they came to Earth after the Collapse when humans were almost extinct. He is quiet, reserved, but seems to know intuitively what Jax is thinking. Unfortunately because he isn't from her planet and has never ventured far from the alien city he has no way of taking care of himself in the forest and no way to find the city. He has to rely on Jax's help to get him there, which as the author reveals more and more about his character you see is extremely hard for him. I really like Lir. He was a bit of a mystery, but despite that you can see the trust he has in Jax and watch as his feelings develop for her through her eyes....she's a bit naive and doesn't pick up on it though ;)
The majority of the book takes place in the forests and the journey that Jax and Lir takes to find Jace. In fact for a good 50% of the book it is just the two of them and the occasional threats they run up against. There is a lot of character and relationship building between the two and it adds a certain depth to the story. I loved them both and hurt for them as they struggled through the journey. Then once they reached Lir's city, the prejudice they faced broke my heart.
There's only one thing I wish there was more about, the Collapse and the E'rikon arrival. The Collapse occurred around 20 years prior to the book's setting, and all that is said is a virus killed nearly the whole population leaving humans an endangered species. Now they live in like a third-world setting, with little to no electricity or running water. The aliens arrived ten years later, colonized a city and have kept to themselves. I want to know why they came, what was up with the virus, and what prevents the humans and aliens from destroying each other.
The descriptions of this dystopian world, the aliens, and the characters have me fully invested in the story. Told entirely from Jax's POV, the reader gets a glimpse of just how broken she is, how her trust does not come easily, and the little things she observes as a "mentally unstable" girl. I loved every part of this wonderful story and I cannot wait for book two which the author has disclosed will include some POV in Lir's perspective :D If you enjoy young adult fiction, dystopians, and science fiction with a dash of romance, I highly suggest you check this one out. It won't disappoint!
I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of this review.
Fractured Suns by Theresa Kay is the follow up to [b:Broken Skies|20764638|Broken Skies (Broken Skies, #1)|Theresa Kay|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1418930311s/20764638.jpg|32729438] and follows Jax and Lir a few months after the attacks in the E’rikon city. ***Please note that if you HAVE NOT READ book one of Broken Skies there are minor spoilers in this review.*** Jax successfully rescued her twin brother Jace from the cruelty of the E’rikon and is now hiding out in the woods with Peter, Flint, and her newfound grandfather Jastern. Lir is still in the city supposedly working with his uncle to launch a full scale war with the humans. But Jax learns quickly that not all is what it seems and sometimes family bonds aren’t strong enough to win out.
OMG!!!! I don’t even….what….argh!!!! SO GOOD!!!! So that pretty much sums up my thoughts on this book. It is so dang good! I couldn’t sit it down and finished it in one night. Sleep was not necessary while reading this book. The suspense, the additional world-building, the link between Lir and Jax….just AH-MAZE-ING!!!!
Jax is more than a little lost this book. She’s thankful to have her brother and best friend, but the link she had with Lir is broken and she doesn’t know why he did it. Her E’rikon grandfather (BIG SURPRISE) is bordering on cruel where she is concerned and she doesn’t know how much or if she should even trust him. She’s confused, hurt, and lonely but she doesn’t stay that way for very long. Her character grows and becomes something I don’t think she’s prepared for!
And Lir….can you hear my happy sigh? The author…God bless her…gave us chapters from Lir’s POV this time and I have to say I loved them. It helped to understand what he was thinking and the decisions he made during Broken Skies. Lir is also broken at the beginning of this book, though he holds it together better than I would. He’s been tortured, beaten, and questioned about the half-breed he brought into the city. He is being blamed for the staged attack on the city and it’s his cousin that offers him help. He doesn’t know who to trust, but he knows he has to find Jax and keep her away from this impending war.
Lir and Jax are not together for more than 90% of the book, so prepare yourselves for that, BUT that makes for two very interesting intersecting plots. Lir is focused on saving his sister, his people, and somehow getting out of the city. Jax is focused on returning to her old home and warning them about the impending attacks. While the book focuses mainly on the impending war between humans and E’rikon, it also focuses on the fractured relationship between Lir and Jax. There’s little romance in this book, but there is plenty of suspense and plenty of action.
Overall I liked this one just as much as the first. It does not suffer from second-book syndrome! Jax and Lir are two of my favorite characters and they really shine in all their brokenness. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for them next book. If you enjoy science fiction, a little alien love, and a good dystopian, this is the book for you. Just remember to read book one first.
Fractured Suns by Theresa Kay is the follow up to [b:Broken Skies|20764638|Broken Skies (Broken Skies, #1)|Theresa Kay|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1418930311s/20764638.jpg|32729438] and follows Jax and Lir a few months after the attacks in the E’rikon city. ***Please note that if you HAVE NOT READ book one of Broken Skies there are minor spoilers in this review.*** Jax successfully rescued her twin brother Jace from the cruelty of the E’rikon and is now hiding out in the woods with Peter, Flint, and her newfound grandfather Jastern. Lir is still in the city supposedly working with his uncle to launch a full scale war with the humans. But Jax learns quickly that not all is what it seems and sometimes family bonds aren’t strong enough to win out.
OMG!!!! I don’t even….what….argh!!!! SO GOOD!!!! So that pretty much sums up my thoughts on this book. It is so dang good! I couldn’t sit it down and finished it in one night. Sleep was not necessary while reading this book. The suspense, the additional world-building, the link between Lir and Jax….just AH-MAZE-ING!!!!
Jax is more than a little lost this book. She’s thankful to have her brother and best friend, but the link she had with Lir is broken and she doesn’t know why he did it. Her E’rikon grandfather (BIG SURPRISE) is bordering on cruel where she is concerned and she doesn’t know how much or if she should even trust him. She’s confused, hurt, and lonely but she doesn’t stay that way for very long. Her character grows and becomes something I don’t think she’s prepared for!
And Lir….can you hear my happy sigh? The author…God bless her…gave us chapters from Lir’s POV this time and I have to say I loved them. It helped to understand what he was thinking and the decisions he made during Broken Skies. Lir is also broken at the beginning of this book, though he holds it together better than I would. He’s been tortured, beaten, and questioned about the half-breed he brought into the city. He is being blamed for the staged attack on the city and it’s his cousin that offers him help. He doesn’t know who to trust, but he knows he has to find Jax and keep her away from this impending war.
Lir and Jax are not together for more than 90% of the book, so prepare yourselves for that, BUT that makes for two very interesting intersecting plots. Lir is focused on saving his sister, his people, and somehow getting out of the city. Jax is focused on returning to her old home and warning them about the impending attacks. While the book focuses mainly on the impending war between humans and E’rikon, it also focuses on the fractured relationship between Lir and Jax. There’s little romance in this book, but there is plenty of suspense and plenty of action.
Overall I liked this one just as much as the first. It does not suffer from second-book syndrome! Jax and Lir are two of my favorite characters and they really shine in all their brokenness. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for them next book. If you enjoy science fiction, a little alien love, and a good dystopian, this is the book for you. Just remember to read book one first.
I received an eARC of this book from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
On starting Loving Kalvin by Siobhan Davis, I knew I was in for some heart ache. Having read the first part of The Kennedy Boys series, I knew Lana and Kal’s history and my heart already hurt for this pair. Something inherent was broken and I really didn’t know if it could be fixed. So I was anxious to begin and once I started I couldn’t set it down. Told in dual POV (which I loved), Siobhan Davis has created yet another beautiful redemption story.
I love Kalvin! Kal was one of my favorites from the original trilogy so I was excited to read his story AND doubly excited when I realized part of his story was from his POV. I didn’t realize how young he was. I’m not really sure how I missed that in the first books, but he’s only 17, making him 16 when everything with Lana went down. He’s changed a lot since then though. He was forced to grow up, face the consequences of his mistakes, and live without the girl he loves in his life for nearly a year. It changed him and for the better.
At the start of the story, I wasn’t sure how to feel about Lana. I love a good second-chance romance though so I wanted to see how the author would redeem her. Lana did a truly horrific thing to Kalvin and has paid the consequences and is still paying them when Kal reenters her life. She’s skittish of the boy and rightfully so. I couldn’t imagine facing him if I was in her shoes. It’s heart wrenching, especially when reading it from her POV.
While this story can be read as a standalone, I feel the plot and Kal and Lana’s romance will have more effect on those that have read the previous books in the series. While the author does a good job of recapping the events that have occurred to Kal and Lana, it doesn’t have the same effect as having read those events as they happened to the characters from Faye and Ky’s POV. At least, that’s my opinion.
Both Kal and Lana made mistakes. They hurt each other, you know that deep hurt that only someone you love could cause. Some of it was intentional, some was inadvertent. Either way it built up to the events that led to their separation, and now they have to face each other once again. The true theme of the book is forgiveness, and it is beautifully portrayed in the book.
Overall I really loved this story! I love second chances, and Lana’s and Kal’s mistakes were big ones, yet they overcame them and are now ready to face those mistakes. It’s heartbreaking and an unputdownable read. If you enjoy contemporary romance or have enjoyed The Kennedy Boys so far, I highly recommend you grab a copy of Loving Kalvin. It doesn’t disappoint!
On starting Loving Kalvin by Siobhan Davis, I knew I was in for some heart ache. Having read the first part of The Kennedy Boys series, I knew Lana and Kal’s history and my heart already hurt for this pair. Something inherent was broken and I really didn’t know if it could be fixed. So I was anxious to begin and once I started I couldn’t set it down. Told in dual POV (which I loved), Siobhan Davis has created yet another beautiful redemption story.
I love Kalvin! Kal was one of my favorites from the original trilogy so I was excited to read his story AND doubly excited when I realized part of his story was from his POV. I didn’t realize how young he was. I’m not really sure how I missed that in the first books, but he’s only 17, making him 16 when everything with Lana went down. He’s changed a lot since then though. He was forced to grow up, face the consequences of his mistakes, and live without the girl he loves in his life for nearly a year. It changed him and for the better.
At the start of the story, I wasn’t sure how to feel about Lana. I love a good second-chance romance though so I wanted to see how the author would redeem her. Lana did a truly horrific thing to Kalvin and has paid the consequences and is still paying them when Kal reenters her life. She’s skittish of the boy and rightfully so. I couldn’t imagine facing him if I was in her shoes. It’s heart wrenching, especially when reading it from her POV.
While this story can be read as a standalone, I feel the plot and Kal and Lana’s romance will have more effect on those that have read the previous books in the series. While the author does a good job of recapping the events that have occurred to Kal and Lana, it doesn’t have the same effect as having read those events as they happened to the characters from Faye and Ky’s POV. At least, that’s my opinion.
Both Kal and Lana made mistakes. They hurt each other, you know that deep hurt that only someone you love could cause. Some of it was intentional, some was inadvertent. Either way it built up to the events that led to their separation, and now they have to face each other once again. The true theme of the book is forgiveness, and it is beautifully portrayed in the book.
Overall I really loved this story! I love second chances, and Lana’s and Kal’s mistakes were big ones, yet they overcame them and are now ready to face those mistakes. It’s heartbreaking and an unputdownable read. If you enjoy contemporary romance or have enjoyed The Kennedy Boys so far, I highly recommend you grab a copy of Loving Kalvin. It doesn’t disappoint!