{Review} From London With Love by Diana Quincy

From London With Love
By: Diana Quincy
Published by: Loveswept on February 7th 2017
Genres: Historical Romance (Mature)
Source: Review copy
Rating: 

Emilia St. George is moments away from marrying the admired grandson of a duke when the man who once jilted her decides to kidnap her at the altar. It’s the second time in five years Hamilton Sparrow has ruined her wedding day, and Emilia isn’t about to forgive him. The mere sight of her ex-fiancé revives painful memories—and, most regrettably, aching desires that refuse to be ignored.
Scanning the guests at Emilia’s wedding, Sparrow spots a familiar face: an assassin he recognizes from his days as a spy in France. Whisking Emilia away, he’s pleasantly surprised by her newly formed curves. Could this be the same flame-haired slip of a girl once promised to Sparrow? And does the fop she still insists on marrying realize what a prize she is? True, Sparrow left Emilia at the altar. But he’s afraid that the only way to right that particular wrong is to risk the one thing he’s always guarded: his heart.

I received a review copy via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has been a while since I last read a historical romance and the first sentence of the summary captured my attention immediately. It made me want to just find out more.

From London With Love does not disappoint. I'm utterly captured by the characters and the story. The book started with Emilia being kidnapped by Sparrow, the man who broke their engagement five years ago. The thing that I like about reading this book is that I get to guess who the culprit was as the story progresses. I must say that even though it is quite obvious, the process is still enjoyable. It's also fun to read about both Emilia and Sparrow, how they deny their attraction only to come together again in the end.

Although this is book 3 of the series, I have absolutely no issues with reading this as a standalone. I actually finished this book in two sittings but procrastination got the better of me and I only managed to write the review now. Would I recommend this book? Definitely with those who wants to have an enjoyable and light reading.

P.S. We've moved to Bookish Michelle. See you there!

{Review} The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites #1

Published on 7 Oct 2014

Genre: YA Dystopia

Page Count: 355

Synopsis

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase the book

Amazon, Kindle, Book Depository, B&N, Kobo Books

RATING

I must confess that I am new to Marie Lu despite the hype around her other series, Legends. It was the idea of the mysterious and powerful gifts that survivors of the bloodfever attained that got me interested in The Young Elites.

Lu has a smooth writing style that makes it easy for me to follow her characters through the story. However, I couldn't quite connect with the characters. Yes, I did felt sympathy towards Adelina for what she went through and that was it. There wasn't much on the romance portion as well. The fight scenes, however, were well-written. Generally a good read but I kept getting the feeling that it could be better. Hopefully book 2 will make up for the few shortcomings in the first one.

Recommendation: Borrow the book if you want to read it. Buy if you want to admire the cover.

Connect with the author

Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

On the Fence by Kasie West

On the Fence by Kasie West

Published on 1 July 2014

Genre: YA Romance

Page Count: 296

Synopsis

For sixteen-year-old Charlotte Reynolds, aka Charlie, being raised by a single dad and three older brothers has its perks. She can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows—including her longtime neighbor and honorary fourth brother, Braden. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world of makeup, lacy skirts, and BeDazzlers. Even stranger, she's spending time with a boy who has never seen her tear it up in a pickup game.

To cope with the stress of faking her way through this new reality, Charlie seeks late-night refuge in her backyard, talking out her problems with Braden by the fence that separates them. But their Fence Chats can't solve Charlie's biggest problem: she's falling for Braden. Hard. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase the book

Amazon, Kindle, Book Depository, B&N, Kobo Books

RATING

On the Fence is a light and enjoyable read which I finished in one sitting. The characters in the books are such darlings and when you mix in all the family teasing, the sweet chat by the fence and the character development in Charlie, it becomes a difficult-to-put-down book for me.

There isn't much going on in the book except the progress and transition in Charlie as she went from a tomboy to slowly discovering how to be a girl, how to go about handling it and to accept herself for who she was was. The love interest may be obvious for the start but that doesn't hinder my reading. 

I'll be sure to read other books by the same author!

Connect with the author

Website, Twitter, Goodreads

The Troublemaker Next Door by Marie Harte

The Troublemaker Next Door by Marie Harte

The McCauley Brothers #1

Published on 3 June 2014

Genre: Romance

Page Count: 337

Synopsis

He can fix her sink, but can he wrench his way into her heart?

Flynn McCauley never thought he’d be so cliché as to fall for the girl next door. But when Maddie calls him over to help fix her faulty sink, he’s a goner. Too bad the fiercely independent interior designer wants nothing to do with him. Even worse, he’s forced to rely on the advice of his nosy brothers—and his five-year-old nephew!—to figure out how to make her give him a shot.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase the book

Amazon, Kindle, Book Depository, B&N, Kobo Books

RATING

Picked up this book after I saw the review at Caffeinated Book Reviewer and know that I will enjoy reading this book. We get to met the McCauley brothers--the whole lot of them--though this book focuses mainly on Flynn (nice name by the way). I enjoy reading the brotherly bonds--how they'd tease, fight and care for one another. 

Maddie is a tough girl and had a super bad day and it just so happens that Flynn was in her house, which she shared with 2 Abby and Vanessa, when she was venting to Abby. Imagine her shock when Maddie found out that there's a stranger in her house who heard her rant--but no, she turned her anger on him. Interesting right?

Maddie was told to apologize to the poor man, who came to help them with their sink, and so she did. The chemistry between the two of them was prevalent throughout the book and Maddie was just too stubborn to realize what was it she was feeling. *rolls eyes* Kudos to Flynn though! I had to admire his patience throughout their whole encounter and "agreement" and it came to a surprise to me that he was the one who realized his feelings first. 

I laughed a little at the epilogue, totally taken aback by the small surprise there. I'll definitely be picking up the second book and read about the second McCauley Brother. 

Connect with the author

Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

{Blog Tour Review} Between the Layers by Sarajean Panek

Between the Layers by Sarajean Panek

The Traveller Series #1

Published on 16 July 2014

Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 179

Synopsis

Most fifteen year old girls are trying to figure out who they are; I’m trying to stay alive long enough to figure out what.


I’ve always been on the run. From my guilt about the things I couldn’t change, and from the voice in my head that won’t let me be normal. But yesterday Tommy and I were in a car accident on the way home from school. When I woke up, Tommy was gone, and so was the world I grew up in. Now I’m running less in a metaphorical way, and more in a “pick up the pace if you don’t want to die” way. Why? Because my eyes are blue, and I’m lost in a fantasy world where that means I’m different. It means I might not be human. It means I should already be extinct, and someone called “The Regent” is determined to make me that way.


I need to find the way home, and before I do that, I need to find Tommy. He’s only in this mess because of me. I can’t do it on my own, but it’s hard to know who to trust when everyone keeps trying to kill me.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase the book

 Kindle, B&N

RATING

Disclosure: I received a review copy via the author in exchange for an honest review.

What really captured my attention about this book at first glance wasn't its cover. It was that first sentence in the blurb. I was immediately intrigued by the main character and the mystery behind her situation.

Between the Layers is a refreshing read about 15 years old Sera and how she woke up in a strange place after the car accident with her friend Tommy. Tommy was not with her when she woke up and she was immediately in a dangerous situation. I was thrown into a magical world and I personally felt that the world building was pretty well done.  The interactions among the characters gave me a realistic picture of the world in Between the Layers. Sera pretty much acted her age--a little dramatic and compulsive at times but still a character that's really worth reading. People are convinced that she is the rumoured blue-eyed Princess Serendipity who has came back to save them but is she really that lost Princess?

The story is fast-paced and packed with actions--from waking up in a strange place and escaping from some unknown dangerous creatures to being locked up and escaping again and more... Romance takes a secondary place in this book, with only a light hint of romantic prospect between Sera and one of the guys in there, that's all. I really appreciate that part of the book and makes the read more exciting. I  also like how the mystery unfold in phases throughout the book and how it leads to the end where one important part of the story is concluded. However, the story will continue in book 2 as there's more to the overall picture. Looking forward to book 2!

About the author

SaraJean Panek has loved books since before she could read. One of her earliest memories is of sitting with one of her two older brothers and following along the page as he read her “Rapunzel.” She’s been telling her own stories nearly as long. “Between the Layers” is SaraJean's debut novel. She travels at every opportunity, but currently lives in her hometown of Virginia Beach and spends most of her free time writing, the work she loves.

Connect with the author

Website, Twitter, Goodreads

{Review} City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments #6

Published on 27 May 2014

Genre: Paranormal

Page Count: 725

Synopsis

In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.

The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!

Add to Goodreads

Purchase the book

Amazon, Kindle, Book Depository, B&N, Kobo Books

RATING

Disclosure: I had to be put on long waiting list through my public library.

I was so looking forward to the release of this book to know how the how series will end. We all know the bad guys will be defeated but it is a matter of how that I am more interested in. 

Sebastian is still out there and his army is growing at the expense of the Shadohunters. This is a really bad situation. There are just so many things that are happening in the book and it really kept me occupied and eager to know what's next. The book is thick--over 600 pages in the hardcover edition--and yet the whole journey still felt quite fast for me. I never want it to end. I want to know what happened after everything is settled. I want MORE. 

I still enjoy the author's writing style--engaging, entertaining and smooth. The feelings of the characters are distinct. It isn't an easy feat to be able to maintain such a wide cast of characters and yet the author managed to do it. The ending was quite... interesting--in a good way of course. In fact, I find it a little touching. I love how the author manage to incorporate the previous series into this series. It still feel so amazing to read all about it and marvel at all the linkages. 

I'm really looking forward to the next piece of the author's work!

Connect with the author

Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

{Review} Her Secret, His Surprise by Paula Altenburg

Her Secret, His Surprise by Paula Altenburg

Published on 14 July 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Page Count: 166

Synopsis

Conflict of interest is an understatement…

Since being disowned by her strict father, Cass Stone has spent her adulthood trying to prove him wrong. Her drive has led to more success than her family ever thought she’d achieve, and life is looking great. Not even an incredible and mysterious one night stand that leaves her a single mom can trip her up...until the father of her baby stumbles back into her life, as sexy and unreliable as ever.

Logan Alexander hasn’t forgotten the night he spent with Cass two years ago, but he never expects to end up undercover as her assistant. His job saves lives—like it should have saved his brother—and he can’t afford complications. It’s difficult enough to maintain his cover as a carefree wanderer when he realizes his attraction to Cass hasn’t faded...and then he meets Cass’s daughter.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase the book

Kindle, B&N, Kobo Books

RATING

Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Mature content. No suitable for readers below 18.

The idea of the secret baby and the undercover male character in this book got me curious about how the story will unfold. The story started with how Cass and Logan met in the bar and their attraction led to one night with Logan and everything changed for Cass. A baby was coming on board but she couldn't contact Logan, who seem to disappear. The staff at the bar didn't know anyone by his name. How shocking! Two years later, they met again under some shocking situation--he's her new assistant. Another surprise--he's actually the grandson of her kind neighbour!

Paula Altenburg creates relateable characters. I can understand how Cass emotions through the words, about her protectiveness towards her daughter Olivia and her wariness of Logan. Although I understand Logan's need for secrecy at times, it frustrates me to read that he's keeping a barrier when it's kind of obvious how she felt about him and him with Olivia. Logan's grandmother is a darling! I was touched that she was actually keeping a lookout for Cass!

Overall, this was a cute read for me! Olivia is adorable and so are Logan's reactions to seeing and interacting with her. Looking forward to reading other works by the author.

Connect with the author

Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads