Review: Revels by Molly Cochran

Title: Revels

Author: Molly Cochran

Publisher: Smashwords

Publication Date: 9.12.2014

Genre: Young Adult, Novella, Paranormal

Series: Legacy #3.5

Source: eBook from author

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

A Halloween camping trip goes hopelessly awry when Katy Ainsworth and her boarding school friends decide to make the outing a party, only to find themselves surrounded by an uncontrollable mob of ghouls, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and zombies who’ve shown up as uninvited—and lethal—guests!

Review:

Oh how I love Katy and all her Whitfield friends.  They always have so much fun even if it means trouble. This little book was full of it. I can't believe how much Molly packed into this.

If you have read Legacy and Poison, you know that Katy hasn't always fit in and Peter was the only one who really stood by her. Eventually she gets to her place among the other witches of Whitfield and has a strong group of friends. I love seeing that friendship.

The adventure these kids embark on was thrilling and heartbreaking. Even though the go through so much, they still try to stick together and do what's best. And then it's all like some just kidding! And I was relieved but scared for them at the same time.

I just can't get over the amount of action in this little book. I couldn't put it down. It was always like oh no! Gotta keep reading just to find out. It was an exciting, thrilling, suspenseful yet sad short story. I loved it! Who couldn't if you know about the Whitfield group of friends and family.

Buy Revels on Amazon

Mini Reviews: On Dublin Street Novellas by Samantha Young

Title: Until Fountain Bridge

Author: Samantha Young

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 6.13.2013

Pages: 111

Genre: New Adult, Novella, Contemporary

Series: On Dublin Street #1.5

Source: Purchased eBook

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Ellie Carmichael had a crush on Adam Sutherland, her brother, Braden’s, best friend, for years, and although Adam treated her with proprietary concern he made it clear he thought of her only as a little sister. 

Over the years, as Ellie’s crush develops into love, her romantic idealism makes it difficult for her to move on. To make matters worse, as she’s gotten older, Adam’s attitude has changed toward her. His affection for her is now joined by attraction, but his loyalty to Braden, and his fear of losing the only family he has, stops him from claiming Ellie the way she wishes he would. 

But one night his attraction is put to the test, and as much as Adam would like things to remain the same everything changes between them in a simple brush of the lips. 

Soon lust, love, jealousy and heartbreak combine to force change upon their relationship… and Adam discovers the hard way that life is too damn short to spend it on regret.                                                                                                                                                                      

Review:

Ever since I read ON DUBLIN STREET, I have been wanting the full story of Ellie and Adam’s relationship. The way Samantha Young wrote them made me crave to know their story. In ON FOUNTAIN BRIDGE we get just that.

Told through a series of flashbacks via a journal, I felt a little disconnected from the story. I almost wish this would have been a full-length novel so that Young had more time to spend on details. Regardless, as a fan of the series and this couple, I was so happy to learn anything about their history.

Watching Ellie and Adam the Couple learn about each other from years earlier was fun, but frustrating, because you knew they would always be hitting road blocks in this novella. (They don’t get together until ON DUBLIN STREET.) But still, I loved the glimpse into their pasts.

Buy: Amazon

Title: Castle Hill

Author: Samantha Young

Publisher: NAL

Publication Date: 12.3.2013

Pages: 97

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Novella

Series: On Dublin Street #2.5

Source: eARC from publisher

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

A Joss and Braden Novella

Braden Carmichael never imagined he’d fall as hard and as fast as he did for Jocelyn Butler. He also could not have anticipated how difficult it would be to convince her to give in to love. But now that he has her, he’s never letting go. He’s got it all planned—the passionate proposal, the dream wedding, the sexy Hawaiian honeymoon—even the perfect family they’ll start.

After trying to flee from her painful past, Joss is finally allowing herself to embrace the future. But when things start moving faster than she anticipated, she finds herself panicking over something Braden can’t understand. After everything they’ve been through, Joss is sure that their love can survive even her worst fears. But, this time, she may push Braden too far—and risk losing everything all over again…

Review:

It was so nice coming back to Joss and Braden, the couple that kickstarted my love of Samantha Young’s On Dublin Street series. That book has always been my favorite, and this quick glimpse into the world—and ongoing saga of Joss & Braden—was a welcome treat.

I love Joss’s spirit. I’ve loved her since I read ON DUBLIN STREET years ago. And that hasn’t changed. But she’s also a little broken and needs someone who gets her, which is where Braden comes in. Braden never tries to “fix” Joss. He just supports her the best he can, and yes, they both mistakes along the way.

At 97 pages, this is a very fast read. There is some drama, but some seriously swoony times with my favorite couple. All in all, this was a great way for Young to let readers stay connected with the duo that started it all.

Buy: Amazon

Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Bitter Sweet Love

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Publication Date: 12.1.2013

Pages: 105

Genre: Novella; Prequel; Paranormal Romance

Series: Dark Elements #0.5

Source: eARC from publisher

Rating: A

Summary (from Goodreads):

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything...right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again...

Review:

I had already read book one in this series, White Hot Kiss, before I had a chance to read Bitter Sweet Love.

What? Don’t judge me. I had it in my hands and devoured it. In a day. But that’s a review for another time.

Bitter Sweet Love is the tantalizing glimpse into the new, incredible world that Jennifer L. Armentrout is creating this time around. With gargoyles. Yes. You read that correctly.

I love paranormal romances, but I get tired of the same werewolves and vampires and angels … Give me something original! I need it! And Armentrout does just that, with her signature steam and snark lighting up every page.

I love love stories where the couple has history, especially one as friends. This crucial connection was so fundamental to Dez and Jas’ romance and made it all the more, well, bittersweet.  I loved watching them find their way back to each other and learning to accept one another for who they were and not just what they had.

Armentrout wastes no time sucking you into this brilliantly imagined world of flying guardians of the night and demons and mystery and seriously hot romance. This is the start to what will be an amazing series.

Buy: Amazon

Review: Trust In Me by J. Lynn

Title: Trust In Me

Author: J. Lynn

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: 10.22.2013

Pages: Unknown – ebook only

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Series: Wait for You 1.5

Source: eARC from publisher

Rating: A+

Summary (from Goodreads):

It’s Wait for You as you’ve never seen it. Trust in Me lets you in on Cam’s side of the #1 New York Times Bestselling story.

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life – literally – he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam’s not ready to give up. He can’t get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head.

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?

Review:

I’m sorry, a book told entirely from Cam Hamilton’s POV? Line forms behind me, guys!

Thank you, thank you J. Lynn (also known as the author that doesn’t sleep, Jennifer L. Armentrout) for this amazing novella (which is kind of a lie as it’s nearly as long as the book that inspired it) that brought me right into the inner workings of one of my favorite characters ever. Seriously. Did you miss how I raved about Cam before? Check it out HERE.

The new adult genre is still fresh and being formed, but already is seems saturated with male characters that are just, for lack of a better word, douches. They treat women like crap, exhibit tendencies that would get you a one way ticket to a jail cell in real life, and yet we’re expected to swoon hard and fast and forgive all their transgressions.

Cam is not that guy. He has a natural charisma that immediately draws you in, but it’s his heart and loyalty that keep you coming back for more. It was so refreshing to read a male character that not only treated the woman he loved with respect, but treated his friends and family with the same amount of respect and love.

Have I mentioned that J. Lynn can write the male POV with scary accuracy? A female writing a male perspective either is amazing or falls apart faster than a snowman in the desert. J. Lynn seems to have mastered the male voice which makes this story all the more enjoyable.

Fans of Wait for You cannot miss this installment. And for those of you who haven’t read the book … What are you waiting for?

Buy: Amazon

Review: Keeping Her by Cora Carmack

Title: Keeping Her          

Author: Cora Carmack

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: 8.13.13

Pages: 100

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Novella

Series: Losing It #1.5

Source: eARC from publisher

Rating: B+

Summary (from Goodreads):

Garrick Taylor and Bliss Edwards managed to find their happily-ever-after despite a rather . . . ahem . . . complicated start. By comparison, meeting the parents should be an absolute breeze, right?

But from the moment the pair lands in London, new snags just keep cropping up: a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be, more than one (mostly) minor mishap, and the realization that perhaps they aren't quite as ready for their future as they thought.

As it turns out, the only thing harder than finding love is keeping it.

Review:

I fell in love with Garrick and Bliss back in Losing It, the stunning debut by Cora Carmack that helped launch my awareness of this awesome new New Adult genre. When I had the chance to go back and visit with two of my favorite characters, I jumped at the chance.

Keeping Her is a quick, sweet story that picks up with Garrick and Bliss’ engagement where they are heading overseas (to London) to meet Garrick’s friends and family for the first time. Watching Bliss panic and freak as she is apt to do was adorable, because who wouldn’t be nervous jumping the pond to meet a bunch of people who you were sure would be judging you?

Garrick is wonderfully supportive (as per usual), and I loved watching him interact with Bliss. Their relationship is truly a partnership and you see that working here.

I think my only issue was the literary whiplash I suffered at the end. It almost felt like Carmack put in enough plots and subplots for a full length novel, but then realize it was supposed to be a novella at the last second and everything wrapped up in 3 pages. BAM! and then The End. Maybe it’s just me being a little selfish for wanting to hang out with Bliss and Garrick a little longer (and really, who wouldn’t?), but I wanted more of a resolution, more of an explanation.

Regardless, fans of Carmack’s series will jump at the chance to catch up with these two fan faves a few months down the road, and I think they’ll be happy at this glimpse into the world of Bliss and Garrick. I know I was.