Review: I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

Title: I’ll Meet You There

Author: Heather Demetrios

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.

Publication Date: 2.3.2015

Pages: 400

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Military, Issues

Series: N/A

Source: ARC from publisher

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

If seventeen-year-old Skylar Evans were a typical Creek View girl, her future would involve a double-wide trailer, a baby on her hip, and the graveyard shift at Taco Bell. But after graduation, the only thing standing between straightedge Skylar and art school are three minimum-wage months of summer. Skylar can taste the freedom—that is, until her mother loses her job and everything starts coming apart. Torn between her dreams and the people she loves, Skylar realizes everything she’s ever worked for is on the line.

Nineteen-year-old Josh Mitchell had a different ticket out of Creek View: the Marines. But after his leg is blown off in Afghanistan, he returns home, a shell of the cocksure boy he used to be. What brings Skylar and Josh together is working at the Paradise—a quirky motel off California’s dusty Highway 99. Despite their differences, their shared isolation turns into an unexpected friendship and soon, something deeper.

Review:

Several months back I had the pleasure of helping organize the YA Author/Blogger Party at BEA 2014. One of the things I did was pair authors with a blogger to chat with. I buddied up my friend Danny at Bewitched Bookworms with an author she said she loved, Heather Demetrios. Danny was beyond excited, and I never quite got it until now.

Because Heather Demetrios is my hero, too.

When I sent out a tweet trying to find a great book with solid characters and some yummy romance, I never expected Jamie from The Broke and The Bookish (along with a bunch of others) to respond with I’LL MEET YOU THERE, but I was bored and feeling whatever, so I started it.

I just finished it minutes ago, but I can already tell this is a book that will linger in my heart for years to come. Dynamic characters, powerful writing, and heated romance fuels this beautiful book in every single one of its 400 pages.

I loved how absolutely real this story read. From Josh’s issues returning home with one less limb than he left with, to Skylar’s struggle to maintain the balance between being true to herself and saving her mom from herself, to the colorful array of secondary characters (seriously, can Blake and/or Dylan get a spinoff here?). Every situation was something real people are facing every day. And Demetrios didn’t take the easy way out by making quick excuses and apologies—if a character here made a mistake (I’m looking at you, Josh), they had to earn forgiveness.

I’ve had Heather Demetrios’s other books sitting on my shelf for a while and they’ve sat untouched; pretty decorations on my shelf. I can’t wait to pull them off and find more of her characters to love.

Buy: I'll Meet You There

KGI Celebration: Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the KGI Celebration here at The Irish Banana Review! Let's talk about some more heroes, shall we?

SOFTLY AT SUNRISE
Ahh, the first novella of the KGI series. We go back to visit Rachel and Ethan, whose marriage has improved leaps and bounds, but it still a process. I loved checking back in where it all started and seeing how far this couple has come both as individuals and as a team.

This is a sweet glimpse into the KGI behind the scenes life (with some suspense and drama thrown in for good measure). Fans of this series have been craving this kind of reconnect with past favorites and I hope to see more in the future.

SHADES OF GRAY
PJ has long been a favorite of mine. She and Cole are a pair of dynamite sharpshooters on one of the team and there has been an undercurrent of sexual tension between the two of them in every book that explodes here. As the only female on the team, PJ has always been in a league of her own, but this book demonstrates that even kickass females can be felled.

This book rocks because you get not one but two KGI operatives in a relationship. Savor it.

FORGED IN STEELE
Steele, another team leader, has always been a stoic enigma for fans, but in this book we get a great look at the man behind the scowl. Maren is another favorite female of mine in this series. I love how deftly she is able to care for these guys as the unofficial team doctor.

Maren and Steele bring a calming balance to each other and I loved seeing their relationship play out. Definitely one of the better romances in the series.

AFTER THE STORM
After several books of team members, we finally get a new Kelly brother story. Van has always had a soft spot for women and kids that totally melts me. It is epically showcased in this book as he comes to the aid of a local family.

While I love Van, the highlight of the book was the chemistry explosion (FINALLY!!!!) between Sean and Rusty. Rusty entered the series in book one as a troubled runaway the Kelly's adopted into their fold and she has grown from a teen to a college student, but she and Sean have always had this antagonistic relationship that you just know is going to be it's own story. Hopefully soon.

WHEN DAY BREAKS
Oh, Swanny. You broke my heart earlier on as a POW with Nathan who endured possibly more pain, but I've loved watching you thrive in your KGI role. And leave it to you, the guy with the scars, to fall for a stunning model. But thankfully this model is a breath of fresh air who is sweet and fun and a joy to read.

But this means that we're at book 9 and there are no more KGI novels left to read. Well, not yet anyway.

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KGI Celebration: Day 1

Several years ago I started this blog, which started out as a way for me to share my love of Young Adult, but while I love YA, I also love some more grown up reads. Especially those of the military hero variety. I stumbled onto Maya Banks' KGI series and fell hard and fast for these hot heroes with equally strong and resilient females. After 9 books and 1 novella, this series is still going strong and 2015 will bring book #10 to shelves near you.

This week I am going to share my love of this series and highlight what drew me into each book. There's also going to be a giveaway running along with these posts courtesy of my friends at Berkley for the first 5 books in the series, and trust me: you want this series in your life.

THE DARKEST HOUR
Here we go, book #1. This series starts off on a somber note with Ethan Kelly bitterly mourning the loss of his wife, Rachel, who died a year earlier. When Ethan is giving intel that his dead wife might not be as dead as he was led to believe, he enlists the help of his brothers' Kelly Group International organization (which they've been trying to get him to join) to save Rachel.

Saving Rachel is the easiest obstacle they have to overcome - Rachel has endured hell, but even before that her marriage with Ethan was anything but smooth sailing. I love how this book truly highlights the highs and lows of a marriage. It's not all happily ever after and love takes work.

This book brilliantly introduces KGI and the Kelly brothers to readers in a way that is not overwhelming despite there being 6 Kelly brothers. 

NO PLACE TO RUN
Oh, Sam. This is one of my favorite books in the series and not just because it starts of with a seriously hot scene. Sam is the oldest brother and leader of KGI and his relationship with Sophie is anything but simple. Both have secrets which get exposed. 

This book gives readers a better insight into the leadership and camaraderie of KGI. It's full of suspense and twists and moments to make your knees weak.

HIDDEN AWAY
Garret Kelly played a key role in book #1, so when it was his story to tell in book #3, I was more than ready. This story was a little different because of the isolated locations Garrett was sans his KGI brothers. But it introduced Sarah, one of my favorite females of this series. 

Sarah, who has a brutal background that makes her so hesitant to trust. I loved watching her open up around Garrett and the way they bonded. Their relationship throughout the entire series is a major high point for me - especially since Sarah adorably tries to cure Garrett of his potty mouth (spoiler alert: it doesn't go so well).

WHISPERS IN THE DARK

It took me a little while to be OK with  because it deviates from this being a contemporary military romance series by adding a paranormal twist.

This is the book when Shea and Grace Peterson are introduced and both possess some telepathic skills that I wasn't sure fit into this world at first. In fact, sometimes I still wonder why this was made part of the series, but I love the series so I'm rolling with it.

Nathan Kelly (one half of the Kelly twins) is captured and tortured while on tour overseas and while his brothers scramble to find a way to locate and save him, he is saved by Shea who establishes a mental link with him and helps ease his suffering while in captivity.

Shea is another one of my female faves of this series. She has a great wit and determination, and her bond with Nathan is one of my favorite relationships.

ECHOES AT DAWN
Another deviation from the KGI formula (way to change it up, Maya Banks). Once again we meet up with Grace Peterson, but this time our hero is Rio, one of the KGI team leaders but not a Kelly brother. 

Rio has been a stoic background character for five books, but he truly comes to life in this book. He and Grace have what, to me, feels like one of the more mature relationships in the series. Both of them have lied through and survived so much, their being together feels more concrete than a lot of the other relationships.


So there you have it. The first 5 books of the KGI series. Make sure you come back tomorrow for some more KGI goodness, and check out the giveaway!

*Winner must have a US mailing address and be over the age of 16. The Irish Banana Review is not responsible for lost/stolen/damaged/unsent prizes by a third party.*

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Review: Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley

Title: Rites of Passage

Author: Joy N. Hensley

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: 9.9.2014

Pages: 360

Genre: Young Adult, Military, Contemporary, Bullying

Series: N/A

Source: eARC from publisher

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sam McKenna’s never turned down a dare. And she's not going to start with the last one her brother gave her before he died.

So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She’s expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud-crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She's even expecting the hostility she gets from some of the cadets who don’t think girls belong there. What she’s not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won't risk her future, or the dare, on something so petty...no matter how much she wants him.

As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don’t just want her gone—they will stop at nothing to drive her out. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active… and determined to force her out.
At any cost.

Now time's running short. Sam must decide who she can trust...and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.

Review:

I first heard about RITES OF PASSAGE almost a year and a half ago when I met the lovely Joy N. Hensley at a local event. Since then I had been anxiously awaiting reading it, so when it appeared on Edelweiss one blessed day, I immediately downloaded it and settled in that very night to read it. One of the best decisions ever.

For a debut, Hensley does an admirable job and writes like she’s been doing it since birth. She has a way of telling a story that thrusts the reader deep into the action and brings these vibrant characters to life.

I couldn’t love Sam more if I tried. Her heart, her spirit, her determination … I’m sad to say I’m not as strong as Sam. I wish I was, but I think I would have backed down in the face of such harsh conditions. The hazing she endures is brutal, but it’s a great story of a girl pushing through adversaries and learning what she’s made of. It’s an uplifting story in that regard that will have girls and boys cheering.

My only complaint, and this is more of a personal nature than anything, but the end. Really, Joy Hensley? THAT END?! *sobs*  But not even my own sadness over the end can detract from the flawless story here. If you like a contemporary with the perfect balance of grit, humor, and swoon, RITES OF PASSAGE is your book.

Review: When Day Breaks by Maya Banks

Title: When Day Breaks

Author: Maya Banks

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: 6.24.2014

Pages: 304

Genre: Adult, Romance, Military, Contemporary

Series: KGI #9

Source: Finished copy from publisher

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t…

Eden is said to be one of the most beautiful women in the world. Her face has graced countless magazines and her body has sold millions of dollars of clothing. But her fame and beauty has earned her more than she ever imagined. Evil is stalking her, determined to extinguish the ethereal beauty forever.

Swanson or “Swanny” as his teammates call him is always up for the next mission. He came back from Afghanistan wounded and scarred. Hardly the kind of man who even belongs in the same room with Eden. And yet there’s something about the quiet beauty that stirs his blood and makes him dream of the impossible. Because Beauty loving the beast only happens in fairy tales and KGI doesn’t deal in fairy tales. Ever.

Review:

This definitely felt like more of a return to the KGI series I know and love. Whatever happened with the last book, Maya Banks found her groove again, and WHEN DAY BREAKS is a great ninth (NINTH!) addition to this hot military group.

Swanny has always been that guy that hovers in the background. He’s had a very minimal presence in the series and I wasn’t sure how I would like him being a romantic lead, but I was pleasantly surprised by how likeable and enjoyable he was. I kind of want to go back and re-read the series now so I can pay more attention to him.

Eden was a nice female to root for. She wasn’t the traditional model, but Banks did a great way of showing how models can care about their appearance (yes, I mean weight here) without starving themselves. Again, I wasn’t 100% sold on a model heroine, but Banks pulled it off with her usual awesomeness.

These books have started to feel a bit routine, I’ll admit. I’m hoping something jarring happens soon in one of the next books to spice things up a little, but overall I still love this series.

Review: After the Storm by Maya Banks

Title: After the Storm

Author: Maya Banks

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: 1.7.2014

Pages: 392

Genre: Adult, Romance, Military

Series: KGI #8

Source: eARC from publisher

Rating: 3 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Over the years, Donovan Kelly has fought relentlessly for justice, women and children always holding a special place in his heart. Working side by side with his brothers, Donovan has witnessed firsthand the toll it’s taken—physically, mentally, and emotionally—on his loved ones, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire. What he never expects is for his next mission to happen right on his home turf—or for it to take a very personal turn.

Picturesque Kentucky Lake is the perfect place for a soul in search of safe harbor. A beautiful stranger has arrived—desperate, breathless, and on the run from a dark past closing in on her and the younger siblings she has vowed to protect. Donovan must now draw on every resource at his disposal—if he wants to save a woman and the children who may prove to be his destiny.

Review:

Please know that anytime a KGI novel from Maya Banks hits my shelf - virtual or physical - I will be dropping all things to read it. This includes occasionally acting like I have a case of Montezuma's revenge so I can hide in the bathroom at work and read.

Yes. It's that serious.

Of all the KGI guys, Van has always been the one that's the hardest for me to pin down. I love his heart and his brilliant mind, both of which are frequently in contradiction to the rough-and-tough KGI member that he comes across as. He's an enigma, and I was hoping his book would help me understand him a bit better.

It does ... but it also left me a little confused. While it has all the KGI staples I've come to know and love - hot guy, complex heroine, danger, and thrills with a some sexy times - this one kinda gave me a little whiplash, but I didn't notice until I set the book down at the end and realized that Van and Eve fell in love in 2 days.

2 days.

And it showed, unfortunately. The story felt a bit rushed and the pacing a bit off the whole time. Like Banks was following a formula (albeit a great one). The highlight was definitely the brief Rusty and Sean scenes because Rusty and Sean!!!!!!

I'm hoping this isn't the beginning of the end of my love for this series.